Adèle Jooste

Adèle Jooste (1914-2012) was a music teacher, playwright and songwriter.

She also published work under her maiden name of Adele Gie

Biography

Born Hermina Adèle Gie on 17 Julie 1914 in Worcester as one of three daughters and went to school there, matriculating in 1931. In 1933 she qualified as a piano teacher with Mrs Fismer in Stellenbosch and went on to teach music in Worcester afterwards.

In that period she participated actively in the centenary celebrations of The Great Trek, for example taking a leading role in a spectacular open-air spring concert held in Worcester in 1938 and participating in the historical parades held in Franschhoek in 1939.

In June 1942 she married J.G. Jooste, principal of the Hoërskool Murraysburg, where she continued with her musical work and writing.

She died in Somerset West on 25 November 2012.

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

Her published work includes Kersfees om die Kampvuur, a musical play for children, based on songs and legends (published under the name Adele Gie, 1941), Loelie se liedjies (a collection of folk songs, with original words and harmonies, 1947) and Hollander en Hugenoot ("Dutchman and Huguenot", a musical drama, 1949). The latter two were published under her married name of Adèle Jooste.

There is also mention of a work called Deur stryd tot oorwinning, attributed to Jooste and performed in Pretoria by Volksteater in 1949.