D.P. du Toit

D.P. du Toit (1870-1936). Journalist, novelist, actor and playwright.

Biography

Born in the district Perdeberg on 9 December 1870.

Career

he joined his uncle, Ds S.J. du Toit - leader of the first language struggle and editor of Di Patriot and 'De Paarl/The Paarl, to learn the trade of journalism. Became an influential figure in the world of Dutch-Afrikaans journalism, working in such widely dispersed places as Somerset East (where he edited Het Oosten), Paarl, Cradock, Bloemfontein, Potchefstroom and Pietermaritzburg. He finally became a member of the editorial staff of Di/Die Burger in Cape Town (1915-1933), and well known for his column under the byline "Oom Dawie" ("Uncle Dawie"). While editor of De Middellandsche Afrikaander in Cradock from 1899, he wrote a column called Hiero'er en Daaro'er ("About this and about that") under the pseudonym "Kaatje Kekkelbek", indicating his familiarity with the famous Bain and Rex comic song. He also promoted Afrikaans writing, including the work of J.H.H. de Waal.

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

As playwright he wrote what many consider the first play in Afrikaans, Di Bedriegers, first performed in the Somerset East Town Hall sometime between August 1892 and May 1893, at a variety concert that he organised himself, with two friends, to address the lack of Afrikaans and/or Dutch cultural activity in the town. (Published 1893*?*.) Soon after, Du Toit followed this up by founding the Somerset Oos Debatsvereniging. Other works are Di Herwonne Koningkryk of Onreg Hersteld ("The Regained Kindom or A Wrong set Right", a 3-act tragedy, 1906), Jaloesi en Geldsug ("Jealousy and Greed", a melodrama, 1906-7?), both performed by the Cradock Debatsvereeniging ("Cradock Debating society") as part of "entertainments". The latter play later had an interesting history on the professional stage. Sy Pa se Skuld ("His Father's Fault" or "His Father's Debt") was performed by the Barend Fourie Geselskap, an Afrikaans touring company, which began its tour in Caledon on 6 April 1934. *

Sources

Du Toit, P.J., 1988.

Binge, 1969.

[TH, JH]

For more information

Wikipedia [1].

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