Paul Eilers

Paul Eilers (1944-2019). Actor, director, producer, news reader, and radio personality.

Biography

Paul Cornelius Eilers was born on 5 November 1944 in Nelspruit, Mpumalanga, South Africa. At the time of his birth, his father, Marthinus Johannes Eilers (1912-1949), was 32 and his mother, Johanna Susanna Eilers (1916-1988), was 27. The couple married in 1932.

In terms of their careers, Marthinus served in the army, while his wife, Johanna, worked as a matron at a local prison.

Paul Eilers was one of five siblings. His youngest brother, Hendrick Johannes Eilers (1932-1933), died at the age of one, soon after his parents’ marriage. His remaining siblings included: Elizabeth Petronella Eilers (1934-), Marthinus Johannes Eilers (1936-1992), and Petrus Eilers (1938-1974). The family relocated to Kimberley (where the Eilers’ had lived for three generations) soon after Petrus’ birth.

He died in his Oudtshoorn home on 28 June 2019 at the age of 74.

Early years and training

Paul Eilers attended high school at Noord Technical College, which offered subjects in Music, Academics, and Technical Studies. He displayed a keen interest in rugby and athletics early on and was also cast in his first school play, which he credits as being the catalyst for establishing his passion for acting.

While in school, Eilers worked part time at the Kimberley train station as a tranship porter. During his final year at the school, Eilers served as Head Boy and was nominated for National Colours in Academics and Culture.

After completing his schooling, Eilers went on to train and work as a police officer for the South African Police Service before pursuing his career in theatre soon after.

Professional career in South Africa

In 1963, he joined the Johan Fourie-toneelgeselskap (theatre company) and toured the country with them for 3 years as a bus driver and ticket clerk before progressing on to become a company manager, stage manager, and bit part player. He worked for all the Performing Arts Councils between 1963 and 1972, as stage manager, actor and director, doing more than 100 performances for CAPAB and being a mainstay of PACOFS in the years 1968-1970.It was during this time that he became determined to pursue a career in the Arts.

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

Performances on stage include Putsonderwater (Bartho Smit), Mattewis en Meraai (P.G. du Plessis), Kinkels innie Kabel (Shakespeare/ Brink), Siener in die Suburbs (P.G. du Plessis), The Tempest (Shakespeare), Die Laaste van die Takhare (C.J. Langenhoven).

He has also appeared in Die Dubbele Adelaar (1968), Bart Nel, Hotel Paradiso, The Importance of Being Earnest, Jan en die Boontjierank, Picnic in Town, Die Bekentenis, Antigone (by Sophocles), Vrijdag, , Vyfster, Sonkring, Dominee Tienie.xs

He directed Die Proponentjie in 2010.

In 2005 he returned formally to the stage after a break of 20 years with an award-winning performance as the lead in Pieter Fourie’s Faan se Trein, following it with Faan se Stasie in 2006, and Brief van die Harlekyn in 2007.

He had a role in the TV series Willem.

Film director: Roepman, Veraaiers. Director: Stuur groete aan Mannetjies Roux, was also a stage play.

Awards

He won the award for Best Actor with KKNK in his role as Faan in Pieter Fourie’s Faan se Trein in 2005.

Sources

Various entries in the NELM catalogue.

Interview with Hanlie Retief published in Rapport, 3 March 2013.

Obituary, Die Burger, 1 July 2019.

E-mail submission by Taryn Tavener-Smith, 2 August 2023.

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