Dolf van Niekerk

Dolf van Niekerk (1929-) is a South African author, dramatist, radio presenter and professor.

Biography

Born Rudolf Johannes van Niekerk (popularly known as Dolf) in Edenburg in the Free State, and matriculated at the Edenburg High School. Completing a B.A. at the University College of the Orange Free State in Bloemfontein in 1949, an honours degree in Philosophy at the University of South Africa (Unisa)in 1950, and a Master of Arts degree by the University of Pretoria in 1967.

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

In 1950 he became a radio presenter and producer. In 1957, he became the head of the radio department for the Department of Agriculture, and later the Head of Radio for the whole broadcasting network. Between 1978 and 1994, he was also an Emeritus Professor of the University of Pretoria, a position he held until his retirement in 1994.

He wrote poetry, prose and plays for stage, radio and TV. His plays are Kwart voor Dagbreek ("Quarter to Daybreak" - 1961), Die Paddas ("The Frogs" - 1968), Kamer 99 ("Room 99" - 1972), Die Nagloper ("The Night Walker" - 2 texts for TV, 1976) and Niemand se Dag nie (Nobody's Day" - 1982).