Limpie Basson

Limpie Basson (1930-2008) Actor, director and designer.

Biography

Training

Studied at the University of Stellenbosch and was part of the first group of drama students in 1949.

Career

Went to England to be a supply teacher at a secondary school in Hackney, London UK during the late 1950s. Returned to be appointed as an actor for PACT in the 1960s, then moved back to the Cape.  He rejoined PACT, although not on a full-time basis, after having resigned from CAPAB in 1967.

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

In 1971, he directed and led a group of professional actors, employed by the Department of Coloured Affairs, to perform prescribed works at “coloured” schools in the Cape. Worked for CAPAB, Maynardville (King Lear, 1966, Anthony and Cleopatra, 1972), and The Space. As actor with The Space he did The Bear, Don’t walk about with Nothing On, Eskoriaal, My Broer, Othello Slegs Blankes, Thirteen Clocks, Three’s Company for them, directed Die Laaste Middagmaal, My Broer and School Play and designed Three’s Company. Also in Skote! (Pieter-Dirk Uys, Jan Van Riebeeck H/S students, 1976). For years he was a radio announcer with Radio Goeie Hoop (Radio Good Hope) and did radio plays and dubbing. As a Film and TV actor he became well known in later years in such productions and series as Fiela se Kind (receiving an Artes Award), Arende, Verspeelde Lente, Tant Ralie se Losieshuis, Die Spaanse Vlieg and Manakwalanners.