Award-winning Afrikaans author Chris Barnard died on Monday morning at the age of 76.

Fans and friends, including South African crime author Deon Meyer, have taken to Twitter to express their shock and grief.

Meyer tweeted in Afrikaans and said: "Quiet brothers, a man has passed. Chris Barnard has died. A great loss. He was a brilliant inspiration and a role model. Rest in peace."

Barnard has twice won the Hertzog Prize for literature and has penned a number of popular radio, television and movie scripts, including Paljas and Die Storie van Klara Viljee.

Barnard leaves behind his wife, Katinka Heyns, and his sons Simon, Johan, Stephan, Tian and Reghard.

Source: News24