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Dr Ferrus’ funeral service is under way at the VGK church in Worcester
Internationally renowned South African poet, writer, and activist, Dr Diana Ferrus‘ funeral is underway at the VGK Church in Worcester, Boland.
Ferrus died at the age of 72.
Her poem “I’ve come to take you home” was a catalyst for the return of the remains of the Khoi woman Sarah Baartman from France to South Africa.
Dr Ferrus Funeral | Fimal farewell for cultural icon Dr Diana Ferrus in Worcester
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2hDSUOB6JbE
Some of her works include a poem “Women of the Struggle” which appeared in an anthology New Letters’ Writings from the New South Africa published in 1998 by the University of Missouri, Kansas City.
The family and closest friends of Dr Ferrus are still coming to terms with her passing.
Those closest to her described her as someone who was always engaged, ready to teach and enrich the lives of others, no matter her own difficulties.
In 1998, Ferrus wrote the poem, “I’ve come to take you home.” While studying in Holland, she became deeply homesick and her thoughts went to Baartman. The Khoi woman was taken from South Africa in the 19th century.
‘Cultural icon’
Western Cape Arts And Culture Minister Ricardo Mckenzie has described the Poetas cultural icon.
Mckenzie says government has honoured Ferrus by according her a provincial official funeral.
“I think the significance of today is to recognise Dr Ferrus and her contribution not only to the arts and the literary world here in the Cape Town and the Western Cape and South Africa what she’s done we all know the history of Sarah Baartman we all know how she contributed to bring Sarah Baartman home and giving her the funeral that we are giving her today is to thank her on behalf of all the people of the Western Cape and on behalf of the state.”
