Poet who brought Sara Baartman home remembered for grounded spirit and powerful legacy

Acclaimed poet and cultural activist Dr Diana Ferrus has been described as a people’s person who kept her feet firmly on the ground, even as her literary work reached soaring heights and helped change the course of South Africa’s history.

Ferrus, best known for her iconic poem I’ve Come to Take You Home, dedicated to Sara Baartman, died on Friday, January 30, 2026, at the age of 72.

The poem played a pivotal role in the repatriation of Baartman’s remains, which were returned to South Africa in 2002 after being displayed in a French museum for 192 years.

After hearing the poem, French officials amended the country’s legislation to allow South Africa to bring Baartman’s remains home. Ferrus later joined the South African delegation that accompanied Baartman’s remains back to the country.

On Thursday night, the Elsies River High School hall was filled with Ferrus’ family, friends, literary enthusiasts and those she had mentored, at an emotional memorial hosted by the Elsies River History Society.

The Worcester-born Ferrus, who lived in Kuils River, made a lasting impact in Elsies River, where she hosted workshops and mentored young writers at the community library.

Moving tributes were delivered by fellow poets, her family and those she had taken under her wing.

Also in attendance was renowned poet, author and Elsies River High School teacher Nashville Blaauw. Blaauw, who was mentored by Ferrus, told mourners it was she who inspired him to research his family roots and discover his sense of identity.

He said this journey led him to write poems and books about the Cape Flats, which were later translated into several languages, including Greek.

“We will never forget her. We don’t want to forget her. We can never forget her. We need to accept her passing because we must take forward what she has left behind,” Blaauw said.

Prominent Elsies River spoken-word artist and poet Naidene Lottering said Ferrus had a profound impact on her life.

“She exposed me to many circles where performance poetry was happening. Many people who came into the country to perform poetry began to see me. She was my mother. She took me in and held space for me,” Lottering said.

She shared that after she bought her house, it was Ferrus who purchased the front door.

“My safety inside, and my safety outside. That’s what she will always be to me.”

Lottering said she is inspired to continue Ferrus’ legacy by mentoring other young, aspiring writers and poets.

Ferrus’ brother, Jack Ferrus, said his sister was deeply passionate about heritage and culture, and firmly believed in the saying: “You need to know where you come from to know where you’re going.”

Ferrus’ niece, Lanielle Hartzenberg, said her aunt’s passion was evident in the countless poetry and writing workshops she facilitated.

“Her message was simple and radical: use your voice, write your story. Your life matters, your history matters. Do not let others write for you. You write your own story,” Hartzenberg said.

Ferrus will be laid to rest in her hometown of Worcester today, Saturday, 6 February 2026.