Marko van der Colff

Marko van der Colff (1946-2025) was an actor, director, translator and novelist.

Biography

Born in Oranjezicht, Cape Town, on 26 December, 1946, he matriculated at Jan van Riebeeck High School in 1964. He then attended the University of Cape Town, intially beginning medical studies, but the switching to the UCT Drama Department, to study speech and drama under Rosalie van der Gucht and Robert Mohr.

He worked as actor (stage, radio, film and TV) and also as radio presenter and author.

He passed away in Betty's Bay on 20 December, 2025 of complications after an operation. He left his partner Retha Kruger and 3 children (from his previous marriage) and two grandchildren.

Contribution to SA theatre, film, media and/or performance

His career as professional actor started in 1972 when he joined PACT in Ptretoria. In 1975 worked for PACOFS before joining CAPAB in 1976. He had a brief spell as actor for the South West Africa Performing Arts Council in 1980, before returning to CAPAB in 1981.

Over the course of his career he starred in productions like Anastasia, Die Drie Van Der Walts, Die Wonderwerk (1979), Die Nag van Legio, The Orange Earth (Baxter Theatre, 1978), Die Plaasvervangers, Kom terug, Klein Sheba (1981), Kinkels innie Kabel, Die Oresteia-Trilogie (1981), Othello (1982), Twaalfde Nag (1984), Taraboemdery, Die Seemeeu (1972), Curse of the Starving Class, Andorra, Lokval vir ‘n Eensame Man, Pase, The Fantasticks, Die Brandstigters, Kamer 99, Die Paddas (1977), The Royal Hunt of the Sun (1969-1970), Die Hekse van Salem (PACOFS, 1982), as Abel Malan in Toorberg (Artscape, 2005).

He translated Athol Fugard's People are Living There into Afrikaans as Daar Leef Mense Daar. The play opened on 20 August 1982, directed by the translator for CAPAB. He also translated The Odd Couple as Die Onpaar Paar.,

Directed Charley se Tante (PACOFS 1978); Met Permissie Gesê, Vettie, Vettie (BAT 1994).

He wrote Good Bye Johnny, a stage play (Theatre programme, NELM)

Marko did much radio acting and also appeared in a number of film and television productions. (see for example the listing at https://www.apm.co.za/artiste/marko-354/)

In 2023 his debut novel, Dieper as drome, was published by Boekdiva Uitgewers [1] and in 2025 he had just completed the final editing and signed the publishing contract for a second novel, called Die faraoblom when he passed away.