L.W. Hiemstra
L.W. Hiemstra (1897-1978) was a journalist, linguist and supporter of the arts.
Born Louis Wybren Hiemstra in Lydenburg Transvaal, he studied at the Transvaalse Universiteitskollege and the University of Cape Town. For a long while he was a journalist, with Die Volkstem, Die Burger and Die Volksblad.
He was also a member of the language commission of the SA Akademie vir Wetenskap en Kuns, and a language editor for Nasionale Pers (from 1946 onwards) and chaired the editorial committee of the Tweetalige Woordeboek.
His contribution to South African theatre
He was one of the many people who over the years petitioned for a National Theatre for South Africa.
Another influence came posthumously, when the L.W. Hiemstra Trust was set up to support the arts. This trust has played an enormous role in the production and publication of indigenous work, the setting up of festivals and facilities, etc.
