Goliath Davids

(1929-2012) Actor, playwright and director. Fondly known in the industry as Oom Gollie or Gollaai. Born in Heidelberg , Cape on 18 March 1929. In 1958 he married Maria Blaauw, and the couple had 6 children, two of whom followed in his footsteps (Peter-John Davids and Lloyd Davids) His grandson Christo Davids also became an actor for stage and TV. He died on Tuesday 11 September 2012. Founder of the famous Heidedal Drama Organisation, Heidelberg, Western Cape in the late 1970s/ early 1980s, he did plays such as Boesman and Lena and Master Harold and the boys, as well as working with teacher/actor David Pieters to perform prescribed works for schools, i.a. Raka. Later work for a range of companies, include plays such as Fiela se Kind, and Hoor hie'so Madiba (KKNK)

He did film and TV work as well, playing Selling Komoetie in the film of Fiela se Kind, and roles in the TV series such as Die Allemans by Melvin Whitebooi; Halfanspunt; Onder Engele (for which he was also text advisor to director Anthony Wilson). He received numerous awards for his work, including a number of best actor awards, and twice (2006 and 2009) a Lifetime Achievement Award from the the Western Cape Government; and the Freedom of Heidelberg.