His friend Omar Badsha described Dangor as "part and parcel of the emergence of a new generation of writers", who was very active in the trade union and black consciousness movements.

Badsha said:

He was concerned with the issue of identity, which he wove into beautiful stories. He was very quiet, but he did speak out and when he did it was always in a very gentle way. He was a gentleman.

"He was a dynamic force in the revival of our political landscape."

Dangor published four novels - (1981), (1990), (1997) and (2001) - as well as a short-story collection, (2013).

He received the Herman Charles Bosman Prize for and was shortlisted for the Man Booker Prize for 2004, as well as the 2003 International Dublin Impac Award.

Dangor also received a Lifetime Achievement Award from the South African Literary Awards (SALA).

"In Achmat Dangor, the country has lost an important voice, but we can take comfort that his light will keep shining through his books and other writings," the party said.