F.W. Boonzaier

F.W. Boonzaier (1901-1963) was an Afrikaans dramatist, poet and author.

Biography

Born Fritz Wilhelm Boonzaier on 8 December 1901 in Vryburg, in the district of Victoria West. Had his schooling in Carnarvon and Houtbaai, Cape Town.

In December 1915 he began working for the newly founded Nasionale Pers Beperk, and would remain there for his whole working life. Initally working as a setter, he later became a chief proofreader and finally sales manager for the Nasionale Handelsdrukkery.

He soon evolved into a competent author, writing poetry and prose and plays. Best known perhaps for his plays, he was also considered a competent amateur actor, inter alia appearing in the charity performances put on for the lepers on Robben Island for more than 20 years.

Having retired because of illness at the end of August in 1959, he passed away at the age of 62 in 1963, leaving a wife and four children.

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

Besides his appearances in amateur plays, he was the author of a number of Afrikaans plays in the style of Melt Brink.

Perhaps his best known work is Die Spook van Verlatenfontein (“The Ghost of Verlatenfontein”- 1927, pub 1933), considered the first Afrikaans stage thriller.

Other published plays include:

Die Aangenome Dogter (1929, pub 1931)

Die Professor, (published in thge collection in Die Professor, en Ander Samesprake- 1932),

Lief en Leed van Lena (Toneelstuk in drie bedrywe - HAUM, 1930),

Die Stad Sodom (Toneelstuk in drie bedrywe - 1931)

Sarie Marais (a children's operetta, HAUM 1933 and 1950)

Die Vereniging (Nasionale Pers, 1935)

Die Verkeerde Meester (HAUM, 1933)

Wanneer die Blare Val (HAUM, 1941)

[TH]