Marius Swart
Marius Swart (1931-2007) was an historian, a cultural leader and an avid amateur actor and singer.
Biography
Born Marius Johannes Swart on 28 November 1931 in Windhoek, he completed his matric year in 1948 at Voortrekker High School in Boksburg. He then received a merit scholarship to study at the University of Pretoria (1949 - 1952), where he received his doctorate at the age of 25. He also obtained his teaching diploma at the Pretoria College of Education.
He became a teacher (1954 - 1956), followed by a position as lecturer in history at the University of South Africa]] (1958), lecturer at the University of Stellenbosch (1959 - 1961), lecturer and head of the department of History at the University of the Western Cape (1962 - 1964) and, until his retirement, head of department at the University of Port Elizabeth (1965 - 1996).
Besides publishing widely on historical and cultural matters, he was also widely involved in academic and cultural committees and movements during his lifetime, receiving a number of awards for his contributions.
He was married to Yvonne Wessels and the couple had five children. He and his wife were killed in a motor accident on 14 Desember 2007.
Contribution to South African theatre
In his younger days he was actively involved in the theatre. As a student his memorable achievements included acting with the legendary André Huguenet in Oedipus Rex and singing with Rudi Neitz[1].
However, when he became a professor at the University of Port Elizabeth, his work and his large family (he is the father of five children) have kept him too busy to act. However, because of his interests, he was made the Honorary President of the Port Elizabeth based PEAAT amateur society, in which capacity he continued to serve theatre in the region. In this regard he maintained that he was mainly an advisor, and that the advice went beyond spending money or choosing plays. Actors, even if they are amateurs, suffer from an artist's temperament and as an outsider, he often had to help resolve disputes between actors and offer encourtagement when audiences stayed away. suddenly got so angry with each other shortly before opening night that they refused to act. He also had to talk things over when audiences stayed away.
Sources
https://africacommons.net/collections/32858/private-archives-swart-marius-prof/
Otto Terblanche. 2008. Professor Marius Swart (28 November 1931 - 14 Desember 2007) "Historikus, akademikus en mens-mens", in Historia vol.53 no.1 Durban 2008
