Gerhard J. Beukes

(1913 - 1998) Academic cultural activist and prolific Afrikaans playwright and compiler of plays. Also known as Gerhard Beukes.

Biography

Born Gerhard Johannes Beukes on 21 November 1913 on the farm Biesjespoort near Upington, Northern Cape. One of seven children. Married to ** and had ** children. Died in Bloemfontein in 1998.

Training

He studied Afrikaans and Dutch at the University of Stellenbosch (BA 1935, Senior Teacher's Diploma 1936) and University of Pretoria (DLitt. 1947)

Career

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.

As playwright

While a teacher he began writing plays for children and adults, both numerous one-act plays and full length works.

As compiler

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!

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. 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**), **.

As academic writer

- thesis: ''Die moderne eenbedryf'' ["The Modern One-act Play"], which was later published).

Skrywers en rigtings (co-author F.V. Lategan)

Cultural actitivities and contributions

Much involved in cultural work, he was a member of Volksteater in Pretoria, particularly involved in their children's theatre project (1941). Also became a member of the Suid-Afrikaanse Akademie vir Wetenskap en Kuns and was the co-founder of a number of organizations, including FATSSA, NTO, the National Drama Library, and DALRO. In 1977 was made a member of the committee created by the Department of National Education to studyand make recommendations regarding Amateur Theatre in South Africa. He was also 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 for his play Judas van Keriot 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 [JH/TH]

Sources

Du Toit, 1988

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