Aletta Gericke

Aletta Gericke. (1916/17?*- 2005) Actress and director for stage and radio, speech and drama teacher. ** One of the founders of the Akademie vir Dramakuns in Cape Town, Johannesburg and Stellenbosch.

Biography
Born and raised in Oudtshoorn. Married to the journalist C.J. Engelbrecht for 57 years. Died in Pretoria on 19 February 2005.

Her autobiography Herinneringe was published in 2003.

Career
She started as a professional stage actress in 1933 with Henri van Wyk's first company, acting in Koningin Esther. As an actress started in Cape Town, with K.A.T..

In 1948 Aletta moved to the SABC in Johannesburg?*. *Then moved back in 19**? Became an influential and popular radio actress and director in Cape Town.

Contribution to SA theatre, film, media and/or performance
She portrayed the role of Mamma in Ek Onthou vir Mamma (JAATS 19**).

As director she did Oorlog is Oorlog (J.F.W. Grosskopf) for Volksteater, winning the Breytenbach-shield in the FATSSA competition. ***

She directed Andromache (1954), Ek Onthou vir Mamma for NTO in 1954.

Awards, etc
Widely honoured for her contribution, i.a. by the SA Akademie vir Wetenskap en Kuns, the FAK (1987) and the SA government (Order of Merit, 1992).

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