Martin Botha

(19**-) Theatre and film critic, lecturer and arts editor of VUKA!. Born in Bethlehem in the Orange Free State, he went to school there and at Grey College, Bloemfontein. Then studied at the University of the Orange Free State and completed a doctorate on South African film there in 1990. His career included stints as lecturer and/or researcher at the Human Sciences Research Council (1983-1995), Film and Allied workers Organisation Johannesburg (1990 - 1994), University of Pretoria (1996 - 1997), City Varsity (1999-2004), Academic Head of the School of Media at City Varsity (2005), and was then appointed as Associate Professor in the Centre for Film and Media Studies at the University of Cape Town in 2006. In addition to teaching, Botha has been a freelance film critic since the 1980’s he has published more than 200 articles, reports and papers on the South African media, including six books on South African cinema. His involvement in theatre includes membership of the KKNK Kunstekabinet ("Arts cabinet" or advisory body: 2004 - 2008) and its Kannapaneel (awards committee: 2007 - 2008).