J.H. Malan

(1874-1961) Journalist, editor and playwright

Born Jan Hendrik Malan.

He was the editor of the Dutch-English newspaper Het Zuid-Westen in Oudtshoorn for many years, till he was forced to resign over political differences with the directors. He was followed as editor by C.J. Langenhoven.

He was the author of the book Boer en barbaar, of, Die lotgevalle van die Voortrekkers viral tussen die jare 1835 en 1840. (Potchefstroom : Het Westen, 1913 )

His contributions to South African theatre

He was a supporter of the debating societies and cultural life in Oudtshoorn, and reviewed such activities during his time as editor.

This included a number of little satiric plays or dialogues, such as Die Toekomstige Planne (1908), Moloch by "Ou Knolkool" (1910) and In die Koffiekamer (1911). He was followed as editor by C.J. Langenhoven.

As you know, Malan was one-time editor of the Oudtshoorn newspaper Het Zuid-Westen. He was was also the author of Boer en barbaar, of, Die lotgevalle van die Voortrekkers viral tussen die jare 1835 en 1840.

An Encyclopaedia of South African Theatre and Performance (ESAT) http://esat.sun.ac.za/index.php/J.H._Malan

J H Malan

(18*-19*) An editor of the Dutch-English paper Het Zuid-Westen in Oudtshoorn. Supporter of the debating societies and cultural life, he reviewed their activities and also published work in Afrikaans during his time as editor. This included a number of little satiric plays or dialogues, such as Die Toekomstige Planne (1908), Moloch by "Ou Knolkool" (1910) and In die Koffiekamer (1911).

See also these notes about a manuscript letter in the Cory Library, Rhodes University, Grahamstown:

MS 1450: Letter from J H Malan (from Potchestroom on Het Westen – official organ of the SA Party notepaper) to GEC 19.7.1913:

In part about his book ‘Boer en barbaar’ on the Voortrekkers. [JHM had been forced to resign from Het Suid-Westen over political differences with the directors]. Had read and seems hostile to Theal: ‘of course the understanding is that we do not care a twopence whom we hurt and have to bear this or that party in mind. We write and not a history which like poor old dr Theal dreaded to face the truth because he might hurt a party, section or denomination and lose his salary – no, we write to get at the truth. The scope for that is immense.’

The cataloguers of the JS Gericke Library and the African Studies Collection at UCT Libraries have supplied his full name (Jan Hendrik) and his dates (1874-1961) - see UCT's catalogue entry below.

Library African Studies CollectionLibrary Info Shelf mark/Call No. BAA 968 MAL Main Author LinkMalan, Jan Hendrik, 1874-1961. Title LinkBoer en barbaar, of, Die lotgevalle van die Voortrekkers viral tussen die jare 1835 en 1840 / deur J.H. Malan. Other title Lotgevalle van die Voortrekkers viral tussen die jare 1835 en 1840 Imprint LinkPotchefstroom : Westen, 1913 Description 274 p., [20] p. met plate : ill. ; 23 cm. Subject LinkSouth Africa -- History -- Great Trek, 1836-1840

Someone might like to update the ESAT entry for Malan?

I do hope this does not seem like interference ... an academic research librarian can seldom resist the opportunity to fill out information for the benefit of present and future researchers!

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Sources

Correspondence from Sandy Rowoldt Shell (PhD, University of Cape Town)Wednesday, June 18, 2014.

MS 1450: Letter from J H Malan (from Potchestroom on Het Westen – official organ of the SA Party notepaper) to GEC 19.7.1913

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