Geoff Cronjé

Geoff Cronjé (1907-1992) was an academic, university professor, cultural leader and founding head of the drama department at the University of Pretoria.

Biography

Born Geoffrey Cronjé on 30 December 1907 in Barrydale in the Cape Province, the youngest of fourteen children.

He was married to a Marie Pretorius.

An avid student he aquired three doctorates over the years and was head of three departments at the University of Pretoria, namely Sociology (1934-1966), Criminology and Drama (1965-).

As a sociologist and cultural leader he was a seminal contributor to the theory of apartheid and its implementation in South Africa during the 1940s -1950s.

He passed away on 23 January 1992.

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

He became chairman of the National Theatre Organisation board in 1954 and remained till its demise in 1962, finding himself at the centre of much of the later infighting. He was also a member of the PACT board of control in later years.

He was also a member of the publications control board.

In 1965 he was persuaded to become the founding Professor of the Department of Drama at the University of Pretoria, where he remained till his retirement in 197*. His speciality was dramatic theory and his book, Die Drama as Speelstuk ("The play as performance piece"), was widely used by students.

Besides the book, he also wrote many articles on the literary, performative and sociological aspects of theatre and drama.

Sources

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Geoffrey_Cronj%C3%A9

https://af.wikipedia.org/wiki/Geoff_Cronj%C3%A9

https://www.nationalarchives.gov.za/node/1406899

https://www.oxfordreference.com/display/10.1093/acref/9780195382075.001.0001/acref-9780195382075-e-0489

J.M. Coetzee. 1991. The mind of apartheid: Geoffrey Cronjé (1907‐). Social Dynamics, 17(1), 1–35. https://doi.org/10.1080/02533959108458500

"Toeskouer" 1960. "Die Slag van die Kaapse Vlakte", Standpunte Jaargang XIV, Nr 2, Desember 1960: pp. 4-9.

G. Cronje. 1960. "'n Antwoord", Standpunte Jaargang XIV, Nr 2, Desember 1960: pp.: 10-13.

P.J. du Toit, 1988;

Temple Hauptfleisch, 1985.[2]

Rinie Stead, 1981[?*];

Rinie Stead, 1985b;

Percy Tucker, 1997.

J.E. Pieterse. (1993). In Memoriam. South African Journal of Sociology, 24(2), 33–34. https://doi.org/10.1080/02580144.1993.10429878

[JH, TH]

Return to

Return to ESAT Personalities C

Return to South African Theatre Personalities

Return to Main Page