South African novelist Karel Schoeman, aged 77 committed suicide, leaving behind a farewell letter revealing he had long contemplated such a fate and tried so before.

The writer and supporter of the anti-apartheid movement authored 19 novels and several historical articles and was honoured by former president Nelson Mandela.

In the suicide letter dated April 27 and released on Tuesday by his lawyer Carl van Rensburg, Schoeman wrote “I decided years ago to end my life‚ or try anyway,” he said in the letter dated April 27

In the letter he indicated his wish to “voluntarily cease the use of food and drink and end his life through a process of so-called mortification”. It was his second attempt at killing himself.

         * Suicide Letter written by Karel Schoeman

“An attempt at 75 was interrupted by circumstances and in the meantime I have turned 77. Thus it is necessary to tackle the matter meaningfully while I still have full movement‚ physical freedom and possess the spiritual clarity to make a logical decision … and carry it out effectively.”

 “The decision to take one’s own life is naturally a very personal one which I would not blindly advise anyone to take. For me‚ I am grateful to be able to make and follow through the decision.”

His method of suicide was not immediately clear. He had been living at a retirement home in the central city of Bloemfontein.

In the letter he said he hoped that committing suicide would help bring about an open discussion about the South African law which prohibits voluntary euthanasia.

South African retired Anglican archbishop and anti-apartheid icon Desmond Tutu last year said he would like to be allowed the option of dignified assisted death.