Sanni Metelerkamp

(Sometimes wrongly written Sannie Metelerkamp)

(1867-1945) Author and playwright.

Born in Knysna, a great-granddaughter of George Rex. Her great-uncle was thus Frank Rex whom the family claim wrote the play Kaatjie Kekkelbek, and her uncle was Frank Muller Rex, editor of the Oudshoorn Courant, who was also involved with the first performance of C.J. Langenhoven's Die Hoop van Suid-Afrika.

Contribution to South African theatre and performance

She wrote a play In die dae van Van Riebeek ("In the days of Van Riebeek" - 1932), with which she was Joint winner (with J.W.S. Schumann) of the inaugural Krugersdorp Municipal Dramatic and Operatic Society (KMDOS) Playwrighting competition in 1932. Apparently she had written it originally in English, then translated it, which caused some controversy.

Her other writing

She wrote mostly in English, and her two most quoted books are George Rex of Knysna: The Authentic Story (Howard Timmins, 1970s) and Outa Karel's Stories South African Folk-Lore Tales.

[TH, JH]

Sources

Du Toit, 1988,

Binge, 1969

Catalogue: African Studies Collection, University of Cape Town

Performing Arts, HSRC, 1972.

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