Sita
Sita (1898-1987) was the pseudonym of a popular Afrikaans author and playwright.
Also known as Sita de Kock.
Contents
Biography
Born Sara Susanna Bosman on 10 June 1898 on the farm Hoogekraal near Potchefstroom, where she also received her initial schooling at a farm school founded on the farm by her grandfather, completing her studies at the Girls High School in Potchefstroom. This was followed by a B.A. degree fromn the Potchefstroomse Universiteitskollege in 1921. She also completed a diploma course in journalism and on in short story writing through the Vere Stent College of Journalism and Short Story Writing.
On 26 March 1921 she married the teacher Arend Josias de Kock and thereafter she spent most of her life in the vicinity of Potchefstroom, where they lived on the farm Wilgeboom and her husband taught for 40 years. She in turn began writing stories and other publications, especially children's fiction. Gradually she also worked as children's editor on a variety of Afrikaans publications, including Die Vaderland, Die Brandwag, Boerebelange and Avontuur.
Besides her writing she also travelled often and widely, visiting virtually all the continents. She and her husband eventually settled in Bronkhorstspruit, where she passed away on 10 May 1987.
The couple had two sons, Bosman de Kock (the well-known radio announcer, musician and later head of PACT) and Silvan de Kock.
Her writing
Contribution to SA theatre, film, media and/or performance
Besides stories and novels, she wrote a number of stage plays and musicals, radio plays and serials, and translated a number of theatrical works, notably the operettas and songs of Armand Preud'homme.
The plays and musicals
Her stage plays include Bennie Boet, Sy Les, Die Stiefma. Die Goeie Oue Tyd, Oppie trein, Die bordin-huis, Vinkel en koljander and Janette - die dogter wat nie 'n dame wou word nie.
Ses vroue is ’n eenbedryf. In 1957 publiseer sy die bundel met eenbedrywe Finkel en koljander, waarin die klugte Finkel en koljander, Die Pettie-krie-koei (oor mense wat met ’n gebrek of agterstand deur die lewe sukkel), Oppie trein (wat onder andere in 1987 by die ATKV Kampustoneelfees opgevoer deur die Bronkhorstspruit Amateurtoneelspelers) en Die bordin-huis opgeneem word. Al hierdie dramas word later apart gepubliseer deur Dalro.
Haar drama ’n Man van ponde en dinge (’n Bybelskets) word deur Dalro gepubliseer en hulle bewaar ook die ongepubliseerde sketse Hintemal in die dubbeljoe en Die bondel-smous.
Radio plays and serials
Die buurt, Ou-Oumatjie en Tant Poppie Kluitjiesfontein, Uw wil geschiede, Magersfontein'Vreemder as verdigsel
including Bennie Boet, Sy Les, Die Stiefma. Die Goeie Oue Tyd, Oppie trein, Die bordin-huis, Vinkel en koljander and Janette - die dogter wat nie 'n dame wou word nie, het sy verwerk vir die jong aktrise Pikkie Uys, die liefling van die Afrikaanse toneel van die 1930's en 40's..
Quoted from a biographical sketch by Ena van der Walt (NALN) written in 1998: "Sy het ook dramatekste voorsien aan die bedrywige Afrikaanse rondreisende toneelgeselskappe, bv. Bennie-Boet, wat later as jeugboek gepubliseer is, maar wat oorspronklik as drama geskryf is spesiaal vir Benn Potgieter, een van die beroemde Afrikaanse kindertoneelspelers. Haar baie gewilde boek Janette - die dogter wat nie 'n dame wou word nie, het sy verwerk vir die jong aktrise Pikkie Uys, die liefling van die Afrikaanse toneel van die 1930's en 40's.
Janette by Sita de Kock (17 editions of the book were published, between 1937 and 1986 in 4 languages and held by 39 WorldCat member libraries worldwide
Die Bosmans van Suid-Afrika, 1707-1965 by Sita De Kock( Book )
5 editions published in 1968 in 3 languages and held by 35 WorldCat member libraries worldwide
Die buurt by Sita De Kock( Book )
11 editions published between 1967 and 2000 in 3 languages and held by 25 WorldCat member libraries worldwide
Die verhaal is gebaseer op feite uit die tydperk direk na die Tweede Vryheidsoorlog toe die Boere, verarm deur die oorlog, moes swoeg om weer 'n bestaan te maak Bennie-Boet by Sita De Kock( Book )
8 editions published between 1951 and 2000 in Afrikaans and English and held by 20 WorldCat member libraries worldwide
Vonke, kort verhale en sketse by Sita De Kock( Book )
3 editions published between 1931 and 1946 in Afrikaans and held by 19 WorldCat member libraries worldwide
Wekroep by Sita De Kock( Book )
3 editions published in 1976 in Afrikaans and held by 17 WorldCat member libraries worldwide
Oppie trein komediespel in een bedryf by Sita De Kock( Book )
4 editions published between 1978 and 1984 in Afrikaans and held by 16 WorldCat member libraries worldwide
Die bordin-huis a comedy in one act. 1 edition published in 1982 in Afrikaans and held by 15 WorldCat member libraries worldwide
Klipsop (in die verbygaan) by Sita De Kock( Book )
2 editions published in 1977 in Afrikaans and held by 15 WorldCat member libraries worldwide
Vinkel en koljander a student musical ("studente-sangblyspel") 6 editions published between 1972 and 1985 in Afrikaans and English, held by 15 WorldCat member libraries worldwide
Sources
https://af.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sita
Stellenbosch University Library catalogue.
Books by Sita de Kock: https://worldcat.org/identities/lccn-n79148004/
Her letters and other documents are held by NALN.
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