Johan Bernard

(1945-2012) Actor, director, teacher, writer, theatre manager. Born in Bloemfontein, went to Grey College and studied drama at Unversity of Cape Town. Became an actor for PACOFSfor a while, then became the founder-lecturer of the Drama Department at the University of Zululand in 1978. Returned to Bloemfontein to become Head of Drama at the performing arts council - PACOFS, doing most of the works of Chekhov before he left (except Uncle Vania), usually employing his former teacher Rosalie van der Gucht as director. From there moved to the SABC to become a television producer (inter alia of such successful series as Konings ["Kings"] and Onder Engele ["Among Angels"]) and later head of Television Drama (19**-1999). He also made one film, ’n Pot vol winter (1992). In 1999 he and Pierre Knoesen retired to France to found and run a successful guest house, Ma Cachette, in Arlanc. He passed away there on Tuesday 11 September 2012.