Pretoria - International Relations and Co-operation Minister Maite Nkoana Mashabane has expressed condolences following the death of anti-apartheid activist Professor Dennis Brutus.
Brutus, who was also a poet, died at the weekend.
"Once more death has robbed us of one of Africa's greatest sons of the soil whose contribution to the struggle against apartheid and passion for social justice and human rights for all mankind has left an indelible mark in South Africa and the international community, said Nkoana Mashabane.
"Comrade Dennis Brutus understood fully well that South Africa could not occupy its rightful place in the family of nations within the global village and reach its full potential without ridding herself of the scourge of racial segregation and discrimination which the United Nations correctly defined as crime against humanity," she said.
She said Brutus was inspired by the quest for the restoration of human dignity and achievement of a better life for all.
"As a result of small steps he took, notably his successful campaign against all-white South African sports, our country is today a thousand miles ahead and on the eve of hosting 2010 Fifa World Cup," she said.
The minister, on behalf of President Jacob Zuma, government and South Africans in general, extended her condolences to his wife May, his children and the Brutus family.
