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[[W.J. du P. Erlank]] (1901-1984) Academic, author, translator and cultural leader. Wrote under the pseudonym '''[[Eitemal]]''', a transposition of his university nickname of "Lammetjie" ("little lamb"). Later he was generally referred to as "Duke" Erlank by colleagues. 

He was married to Hester Cornelia Visser, and they had a son.   

== Biography ==

Born Willem Jacobus du Plooy Erlankin Wolmeransstad and completed his high school studies at the Boys High School, Potchefstroom. 

=== Training ===

Studied for a B.A. degree in languages and mathematics at the [[University of Pretoria|Transvaal University College]] in Pretoria, then a B.A. (Hons) at the University of the Witwatersrand, began a a degree in literature and drama at the Gemeentelike Universiteit , Amsterdam  (1936-8, but had to return as war became imminent). In 1939 he completed a D.Litt at the [[University of Pretoria]]. 



=== Career ===
From 1921 until 1928 he taught Latin in Wolmaransstad, and Afrikaans from 1929 until 1935 in Johannesburg at the Boys High School Helpmekaar. From 1939 - 1949 he was a lecturer at the Teacher's Training College in Pretoria, then became professor in Dutch literature at the [[Stellenbosch University]] (1950-1966), cultural attaché in the SA embassy in Den Haag, Netherlands (1967-1971).

==Contribution to SA theatre, film, media and/or performance==
    
Besides his numerous novels and stories, he wrote two original  [[Afrikaans]] plays, and was an award winning translator of play texts by Shakespeare, Goethe and Schiller.    

=== Original plays ===

''[[En hadde de liefde niet ...]]'', a drama in five acts,  Bloemfontein, 1935(1939, 1948) 

=== Translations and adaptations ===

He was an award winning translator, and his [[Afrikaans]] translations of plays include  

''[[So praat die ou rivier]]'',  an adaptation of Friedrich Hebbel's ''[[Maria Magdalena]]'', performed by [[NTO]] in 1954, published by Nasionale Boekhandel, 1956. 

''[[Voorlopige Vonnis]]'' ("Provisional Sentence") by Jozef van Hoeck (performed by [[NTO]], 1958).

''[[Macbeth]]'' by Shakespeare (1965).(Performed by the [[University of Stellenbosch]] in 1967.) This translation was used as the basis for ''[[Macbeth|macbeth.slapeloos]]'', a play devised and directed by [[Marthinus Basson]] in 2013-2014.

''[[Faust|Faust I]]'' by Johann Wolfgang von Goethe (Published in  Cape Town by Nasionale Boekhandel, 1966).

''[[Don Carlos]]'' by Friedrich Schiller, Published as a National Government publication, [S.l.] : [[DALRO]], 1969.

''[[Hamlet]]'' by Shakespeare, Published in Cape Town by [[Tafelberg Uitgewers]], 1973.

''[[Midsomernagdroom]]'' (''[[A Midsummer Night's Dream]]'') by Shakespeare, Published in Cape Town by [[Human en Rousseau]], 1975.

''[[Die Wintersprokie]]'' (''[[A Winter's Tale]]''), by Shakespeare, Published in Cape Town by [[Human en Rousseau]], 1975.

His adaptations include ''[[Maria Magdalena]]'' by Friedrich Hubbel

=== Organizational role ===

A passionate supporter of [[Afrikaans]] language and literature and a brilliant and sought after public speaker, he was a founder-member of numerous influential cultural organizations over the years, including the [[Federasie van Afrikaanse Kultuurvereniginge]]([[FAK]], 1929), the [[Handhawersbond]] (1930-1935), the [[Voortrekkers]] youth movement (1931), the  [[Afrikaanse Taal- en Kultuurvereniging]] ([[ATKV]], 1931), and the [[Afrikaanse Skrywerskring]]. 

He was also president of the Transvaal Kunsvereniging (Arts Association) and member of the [[National Drama Society]]. 

He became a board member for the Cape region on [[NTO]] in 195*, and was heavily and controversially involved in arguing for a regional branch and ultimately leading to the founding of the four performing arts councils. He and was on the first board of [[CAPAB]] (?) and  served as a member of the [[Publications Control Board]] in the 1970s.

He was also instrumental in inviting [[Fred Engelen]] to become the head of the [[Universiteit van Stellenbosch Drama Departement|Drama Department]] at the University of Stellenbosch. 

== Awards, etc ==

Twice awarded a Hertzog Prize for his drama translations (1966 and 1969). 

== Sources ==

http://af.wikipedia.org/wiki/Eitemal

http://www.stellenboschwriters.com/eitemal.html

[[HAUM]], 1974. ''Stellenbosse Galery'', p.15.

Rosemarie Breuer, 2005. ''Stellenbosch Writers'', p.90. 

M E J Bauermeister 1969. ''Eitemal : 'n bibliografie'' , Stellenbosch : Universiteit van Stellenbosch, Departement van Biblioteekkunde.

Go to [[ESAT Bibliography]]

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