Tributes pour in for poet Bra Willie

Former National Prosecuting Authority (NPA) head Vusi Pikoli also paid tribute via Twitter.

Go well bra Willie Kgositsile the big small giant of poetry! Gone but still with us! Hamba Kahle Mkhonto. Your voice fades not. The bigness of your heart testimony to your stature. Your words indelible.

— Vusi Pikoli (@VusiPikoli)

Arts and Culture minister Nathi Mthethwa said Bra Willie's death was a "sombre" start to the new year.

We begin 2018 on a very sombre note with the passing of one of South Africa's most influential and exceptional poets, who went on to become the wRite Association's National Poet laureate & a member of 's Living Legends Legacy Programme, Prof Keorapetse Kgositsile.

— Min. Nathi Mthethwa (@NathiMthethwaSA)