RIP Ronnie Govender: Renowned activist and playwright has died

Award-winning playwright, director and activist Ronnie Govender passed away on Thursday, 29 April due to age related illnesses. 

FUNERAL TO BE HELD IN CAPE TOWN

The activist was known as a pioneer of Indian South African theatre in the country. He took his last breath at the age of 85 and his funeral will be held at his home in the city of Cape Town. 

“We were dancing with him and having good conversations until very recently,” said Parusha Naidoo, granddaughter of Ronnie Govender according to IOL.

ABOUT THE LIFE OF RONNIE GOVENDER 

Ronnie Govender grew up in Cato Manor, KwaZulu-Natal. He spent a year at the University of Cape Town (UCT) and then attended the Springfield Training College for teachers in Asherville, Durban. 

He started his career by doing part time sports writing. His sports column in the New Age newspaper allowed him to pay for university.

“His brother was instrumental in helping him to get a job with the New Age as a sports columnist. This helped him to pay his way through university. At UCT he was elected treasurer of the Students Democratic Association that was formed to protest against the exclusion of African students from outside South Africa attending universities here,” according to SA History.

A JOURNALIST AND A WRITER

The veteran writer later tackled racism in his writing catching the attention of many. His writing grew into playwriting as he then worked in theatre.

“In 1991 Govender was appointed Marketing Manager of the Baxter Theatre in Cape Town, and two years later appointed Director of Durban’s Playhouse Theatre. In 2000 Govender was awarded a Medal by the English Academy of South Africa for his contribution to English literature,” according to SA History. 

His work includes books Black Chin White Chin, Song of the Atman, At the Edge and Other Cato Manor Stories which was a compilation of tales from his childhood growing up in the community of Cato Manor. This was used as a school set book and later turned into a one woman play by Imbewu actress Jailoshini Naidoo. 

TRIBUTES POUR IN FOR RONNIE GOVENDER

Tributes from local celebrities and fans poured in for “Uncle Ronnie” as he was affectionately known. 

“RIP Ronnie Govender. You have been a huge influence on my life both on and off stage. Your early plays instilled in me a love for theatre and performance. We studied you and your works in university,” wrote Keeping Up With The Kandasamys actor Koobeshen Naidoo in a facebook post. 

“Ronnie Govender was a playwright genius, enthralling audiences, fighting injustice and winning awards. He used his talent, skill and intellect to help change our world for the better,” wrote Lotus FM talk show host Alan Khan in a Facebook post. 

Just heard that South African playwright Ronnie Govender has passed away

I remember being introduced to his book 'At the Edge and other Cato Manor Stories' back in high-school

I've also been privileged to have met him

Rest well, you will always be a giant of SA literature

— Joastin. (@_joastin) April 30, 2021

“I didn’t write this because I wanted to do something on Indians but because it was my life and my world…I believe one has to find the universal in the unique experience. That is not ethnic, that is how art is made." – #RonnieGovender

Stalwart of South African Theatre. RIP

— Devaksha Moodley (@DivaMoodley) April 30, 2021

Just discovered playwright and author, Ronnie Govender passed away. What a loss! I was inspired to write when he visited my school to talk about writing when I was 16. Was in touch with him and meant to tell him about my new book. https://t.co/BIC0n7Yl3q

— Shubnum Khan (@ShubnumKhan) April 29, 2021