S.J. du Toit

S.J. du Toit (1847-1911) was a poet, dramatist, novelist, historian and writer of polemical prose.

Biography
Born in Paarl, he was the brother of D.F. du Toit, he studied in Holland to become an Afrikaans “Dominee” (Dutch Reformed minister) in Paarl. A co-founder of Die Genootskap van Regte Afrikaners (1875) and Di Afrikanerbond (1879), he was the editor of a number of journals, including Di Patriot ('The Patriot") and Ons Klyntji ("Our Little One"). At one time he was Superintendent of Education for the colony.

Contribution to SA theatre, film, media and/or performance
A founding member of the informal rederijkerskamer and theatre group Aurora I in Paarl, along with his brother D.F. du Toit ("Oom Lokomotief") and W.F. Stamrood.

He wrote the first full-length and published play in Afrikaans: Magrita Prinslo of Liifde Getrou tot in di Dood in 1897 during the language congress. It was performed in the Paarl Town Hall in January 1897 and published by ** in 18**.

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