Gerhard J. Beukes

(1913 - 1998) Academic and prolific Afrikaans playwright. Born on 21 November 1913 in Upington. He studied Afrikaans and Dutch at the University of Stellenbosch (BA 1935, Senior Teacher's Diploma 1936) and University of Pretoria (DLit 1947 - thesis: Die moderne eenbedryf [“The Modern One-act Play”], which was later published). After 10 years teaching at schools, he became a lecturer in Afrikaans and Dutch at the then University College of the Orange Free State (UKOVS) in Bloemfontein (1947 -1960), made professor in 1961 and in 1973 became Head of the Department of Afrikaans en Nederlands. Retired in 1978. Was a member of Volksteater (?*)in Pretoria, particularly involved in their children's theatre project (1941). Later began writing plays for children and adults, both numerous one-act plays and full length works. Among these are Die Swart Engel (perf 1946, pub. **), Oktobernag (Perf 1946, pub 19*), Bo-op die Berge (perf 1947, pub 19*) Langs die Steiltes (perf 1953, pub 195*), Speurhonde van die Dood, As Ons Twee Eers Getroud Is (perf. 1952, pub. 19**), Verkiesing sonder politiek! (perf 1955, pub. 1964), Die vonkel in haar oë! (perf 1960, pub. 1960), Die Braaiboud (19**), As Nefie Kom Kuier (19**) and Familieportret (19**). In 1952 he controversially shared the Hertzog Prize for Drama with W.A. de Klerk for his play **. Edited numerous collections of one-act plays for schools and amateur companies, including Nuwe Eenbedrywe ("New One-act Plays". J.L. van Schaik,1952); Kom ons speel toneel ("Come let us act", J.L van Schailk 19**), **. Much involved in cultural work, he was a member of the Suid-Afrikaanse Akademie vir Wetenskap en Kuns and co-founder of **, ** , FATSSA, NTO, and DALRO. **** Member of the committee created in 1977 by the Department of National Education for researching and making recommendations regarding Amateur Theatre in South Africa. A board member of PACOFS*? Awards: 1948: Winner of the FATSA competion for one-act-plays: Die vrees 1952: Hertzog Prize for drama and Van Riebeeck Festival prize for drama 1959: Prize of the NG Kerk-uitgewers (on the occasion of the 140th anniversary of the South African Bible Society) for Judas van Keriot 1984: Honorary Member of SA Akademie vir Wetenskap en Kuns List of works: 1945: Laat die kerse brand 1948: Die vrees Uitgesoekte eenbedrywe 1950: Kerse teen die wind 1952: As ons twee eers getroud is! Skrywers en rigtings (co-author F.V. Lategan) 1956: Verkiesing sonder politiek! 1959: Judas van Keriot 1964: Die vonkel in haar oë! 1965: Woord en masker (editor) Pretoria: J.L. van Schaik 1969: Uur van die waarheid 1970: Vier Nederlandse eenbedrywe (editor) Pretoria: J.L. van Schaik 1978: Kortgesprek, (compiler: F.V. Lategan; special edition to celebrate the author's 65th birthday) Pretoria: J.L. van Schaik. Gerhard J. Beukes also compiled 12 anthologies of plays for use by schools, universities and amateur companies. Died in Bloemfontein in 1998. [JH/TH]

Sources

Du Toit, 1988

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