South Africa’s National Poet Laureate and father of Earl Sweatshirt, Keorapetse ‘Bra Willie’ Kgositsile, passed away at Milpark Hospital in Johannesburg. He was 79 years old.

The activist began his writing career at an anti-apartheid newspaper under editor Ruth First. Kgositsile published a number of works throughout his career, and received numerous degrees from schools like Pennsylvania University and Columbia.

Our thoughts go out to Earl Sweatshirt and his family during this difficult time