apartheid

The dissident poet, novelist and painter was "an immense artist, militant against apartheid, he fought for a better world until the end," a statement from his family read.

Even before the war, critics accused the Israeli state of carrying out polices that amount to apartheid against Palestinians.

"That comes from the anti-apartheid struggle and the solidarity that Labour and people that were the Labour movement provided for combating apartheid," he says.

The ANC, which has governed South Africa since the end of apartheid three decades ago, lost its majority in May's general election, forcing it into a deal with other political parties.

A native of South Africa who grew up under apartheid, Soon-Shiong has spoken out passionately in the past about his belief in civil rights.