A tribute to internationally recognised poet, children's book writer, and women's rights activist Dr Diana Ferrus, who passed away in January at the age of 72, is set to take place at The Shed in Kleinmond on Friday, 27 November. The event, scheduled to run from 19:00 to 20:30, will feature performances by the Mengelmoesdigters, Frazer Barry, and Khadija Heeger. Dr Ferrus was a descendant of the Khoi people and colonial slaves, and her work was driven by a desire to secure recognition and restoration of dignity for them.
Dr Ferrus was a multifaceted individual who excelled in various fields, including poetry, children's literature, storytelling, publishing, academia, and women's rights activism. She was also passionate about developing young writers and formed deep connections with people, according to her close friend, Kleinmond musician Frazer Barry. Barry set many of her poems to music and will be performing some of them at the tribute.
Dr Ferrus is perhaps best known for her poem "I've Come to Take You Home," which played a significant role in bringing Sarah Baartman's remains back to South Africa for a dignified burial. Baartman, a Khoi, was paraded as a 'freak' in colonial Britain and France in the 1800s, and her body was desecrated after her death in 1815. The poem was written by Ferrus in 1998 while she was a homesick exchange student in the Netherlands.
"I've Come to Take You Home" is notable not only for its powerful message but also for its impact on the repatriation of Baartman's remains. The poem was later used by activists fighting for Baartman's remains to be returned to South Africa, and it was even written into law as part of a French bill that allowed for the remains to be repatriated in 2002. Dr Ferrus was a member of the South African delegation that travelled with the remains from France.
The tribute to Dr Ferrus will feature performances by the Mengelmoesdigters, a writing development project established by Ferrus in 2013 at the Breytenbach Cultural Centre in Wellington. The project aimed to develop young writers, and its inclusion in the tribute is a testament to Ferrus's dedication to nurturing new talent.
Frazer Barry, who will be performing at the tribute, has a close connection with Dr Ferrus and has set many of her poems to music. His performance will likely include some of Ferrus's notable works, paying tribute to her legacy as a poet and writer. The event is expected to be a celebration of Ferrus's life and work.
The tribute to Dr Diana Ferrus will take place at The Shed, Harbour Rd, Kleinmond, on Friday, 27 November, from 19:00 to 20:30. The event is open to the public, and attendees will have the opportunity to pay tribute to a remarkable individual who left an indelible mark on South African literature and culture.
Key points
- Dr Diana Ferrus's poem "I've Come to Take You Home" played a significant role in bringing Sarah Baartman's remains back to South Africa for a dignified burial.
