/ 1 October 2008

Writer Audrey Blignault dies aged 92

Renowned Afrikaans writer Audrey Blignault died in a Cape Town clinic on Wednesday at the age of 92, South African Broadcasting News (SABC) news reported.

Born to an English mother and an Afrikaans father on July 6 1916, Blignault read Afrikaans literature at the University of Stellenbosch. She started her career as a journalist.

She was well known as a radio host and had been the editor of Die Huisvrou.

She received the Eugene Marais prize, the WA Hofmeyer prize and the Italian Adelaide Ristori prize for her contribution to literary culture, among numerous other awards.

She received the 1982 state president’s award for outstanding service.

She was the first woman to be elected on to the board of the South African Academy for Science and Culture.

Her husband, Attie de Villiers, said details of her funeral had not been finalised, the SABC reported. — Sapa