Bailey Bekker

(19*-19*) Lawyer*?, politician and actor. ** Born in ** he studied at the Grey University College and **. In Bloemfontein he was a member of the GUK Toneelvereniging (Dramatic Society). In 1929 went on tour with the group as actor under the leadership of H. van der Merwe Scholtz.** Later played a significant role in the build-up to the founding of NTO, when in 1945, as then leader of governing party in the Provincial Council of the Transvaal, he submitted proposal to set up a commission of inquiry into the professional theatre in the province, pointing out that 25 companies were then vying for custom, and as a result were evading taxes, were woefully organised and were presenting bad work. The proposal was part of a general public debate on the reigning chaos, and was unanimously accepted, and welcomed by the industry. However, there is no evidence that an actual commission was set up, possibly because the proposal was overtaken by events, notably the Government commission of inquiry into Adult Education. (See Part Three, Section 4 – NTO)

Sources

Binge, 1969

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