Tributes pour in for renowned playwright Ronnie Govender
Local artists have been paying tribute to Durban-born renowned playwright Ronnie Govender, who passed away yesterday at the age of 86.
The award-winning writer's been hailed a theatre legend, mentor, director and activist in heartfelt tributes on social media.
Messages of condolences have been streaming in online for the writer and pioneer who helped give Indian and community theatre a voice.
He received national and international recognition for his contributions.
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In 1997, Govender won the Commonwealth Writers' Prize for the Africa region, for his book 'At the Edge and Other Cato Manor Stories'.
Durban actor and writer, Derosha Moodley says Uncle Ronnie, as he was affectionately known, will be sorely missed.
"Govender expressed the colonial and post-colonial South African Indian journey of identity by a multiple-stage narrative amongst many awards he won. A special mention must be made of him being a recipient of the Order of Ikhamanga in 2008."
"I would like to laud his classic works. Durbanites will miss him for his ability to provide work, providing materials for schools and he gave a commentary for our social experiences. As long as his plays survive, so will his voice."
