Eben Cruywagen

Eben Cruywagen (1956-2026) was a renowned performer, broadcaster, director and scriptwriter for stage and radio, as well as a sometime lecturer, poet and academic.

Biography

He was born in 1956. His parents were both teachers and he grew up in Randfontein, where he received his schooling at the local primary school. He spent his high school years at Hoërskool Kuswag in Amanzimtoti, Natal, where he became the very first head boy in 1974.

From his school days onwards he displayed a deep love for the performing arts, and after finishing his school career, he studied drama at the University of Stellenbosch, where he obtained a B.A. Drama degree. Fully bilingual in Afrikaans and English, he then worked as an actor at the Cape Performing Arts Board (CAPAB) for a year before accepting a position as an announcer at Radio Port Natal and ignited a life-long career in broadcasting, inter alia working for Radio South Africa and ultimately for Radio Sonder Grense (RSG) in Cape Town.

He also went studying, completing a masters degree at the University of Natal (Durban) with a thesis on, and a doctorate at the University of Stellenbosch in 199* (thesis:

He passed away at the age of 70 on 10 September 2026 after a battle with pancreatic cancer.

His contribution to South African theatre, film, media and performance

BEING EDITED

initiallly going on to begin a career as a stage actor for CAPAB in Cape Town, before finding his true calling in broadcasting.

Over a career spanning decades at Radio Port Natal, Radio South Africa and later RSG, Cruywagen became synonymous with excellence in Afrikaans radio theatre and educational programmes.

The Afrikaans broadcasting community has been plunged into mourning following the passing of renowned broadcaster, director, playwright and academic, Eben Cruywagen. He passed away on Thursday morning at the age of 70 after a battle with pancreatic cancer. Born in 1956, Cruywagen had already taken on leadership roles from his school days and displayed a deep love for the performing arts. He was the very first head boy of Kuswag High School in Amanzimtoti in 1974. After his school career, he studied drama at Stellenbosch University and began his career as a stage actor at Kruik, before finding his true calling in broadcasting. Over a career spanning decades at Radio Port Natal, Radio South Africa and later RSG, Cruywagen became synonymous with excellence in Afrikaans radio theatre and educational programmes. A connoisseur of radio drama, he wrote, adapted and directed numerous award-winning radio dramas. His master's and doctorate degrees in drama focused on the rich dynamics and educational value of radio drama. In addition to his work behind the microphone and in the control room, he was also a part-time lecturer at Stellenbosch University, where he helped to hone and inspire generations of young drama students and voice artists. He was a proud champion for the versatility, imagination and treasure trove of the Afrikaans language We extend our deepest condolences to his family, friends, and the thousands of listeners whose lives he enriched through his voice and stories.

His parents are both teachers. He grew up in Randfontein, where he received his schooling at the local primary school. He spent his high school years in Amanzimtoti in Natal and he matriculated in 1974 at Hoërskool Kuswag,[1] where he was the first head boy.[2] He studied at the University of Stellenbosch, where he obtained a B.A. Drama degree. He then worked as an actor for a year at the Cape Council for the Performing Arts (KRUIK) and then accepted a position as an announcer at Radio Port Natal. He obtained his M.A. degree in Drama at the University of Durban-Westville in 1992 with a dissertation on “The radio drama and the radio feature in South Africa: a comparative study”. After taking a test at the then Radio South Africa, he was appointed as an announcer at this station (later Radiosondergrense) and he works from the Sea Point offices. Here he coordinates educational programmes and regularly directs radio dramas and radio sequels. He obtained his doctorate (D.Phil.) degree in Drama at the University of Stellenbosch in 1999 with a dissertation on “Listening-learning: the educational possibilities of radio play in South Africa”. He is a part-time lecturer at the University of Stellenbosch’s Department of Drama.[3] He lives in Bellville with his wife, Theresea.

https://af.wikipedia.org/wiki/Eben_Cruywagen https://www.rsg.co.za/rsg-fm/potgooisnnitte/eben-cruywagen-1956-2026/