Hettie Smit

Hettie Smit (1908–1973) was an Afrikaans novelist, translator and teacher

Biography

Born on 21 November 1908 in Koffiefontein in the Free State, she later went to school in Brandfort and then went to the the University of Cape Town to complete M.A. and a B.Educ. degrees. She became a teacher at a range of schools in places like Wellington, Prins Albert, Hennenman, Bloemfontein, Kimberley and Pretoria.

Later she married to S.J. van Vuuren and the couple had two sons.

After her marriage, she worked as a civil servant in the Central Bureau of Translation.

She passed away in Pretoria on 13 September 1973.

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

Writing under her maiden name of "Hettie Smit", she wrote a novel, some works for the youth, articles and reviews over the years. However she became really famous for her novel Sy Kom met die Sekelmaan (1937) - based on her correspondence with the critic, poet and author W.E.G. Louw.

The novel would become the basis for a number of radio and theatre performances.