E.A. Venter

E.A. Venter (1914-1968) was a minister, academic, philosopher, cultural historian, editor, author and playwright.

Not to be confused with the chemical scientist, E.A. Venter.

Biography

Born Erasmus Albertus Venter on 21 June 1914 in die district of Winburg, he was a brilliant student, who ultimately obtained three doctorates.

Became an NG Church Minister in 1938, serving in the congregations of Noorder-Paarl, Robertson, Cape Town, Tarkastad and De Aar. He later served on the Raad van die NG Kerke (Council of NG churches) and other capacities. In 1952 he became the Head of the Department of Philosophy at the University of the Orange Free State.

As an author and researcher he wrote a number of biographies, including monographs on the authors Totius and A.G. Visser (A. G. Visser in Woord en Beeld ), and the collections 400 Leiers In Suid Afrika Oor Vier Eeue: Beskouinge Oor Vierhonderd Leierfigure In Suid Afrika Sedert Die Grondlegging (Studies of 400 Leaders in South Africa over the course of four centuries) and Ons Geskiedenis in Beeld: Fotoalbum van Ons Volksleiers en Volksmonumente.

He passed away in Bloemfontein on 10 October 1968

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

He appears also to have been a playwright in his youth, probably the same A.E. Venter who is credited as author of a number of short plays, including Drankwet (1933), Natalia (1939), Ontgroening (1946) and Een… Twee… Drie… (1947).