Marthinus van Bart

(1948-) Senior journalist and specialist writer on cultural matters.

Born Marthinus (Martiens) van Bart in Johannesburg, He is married to E.S. van Bart, cultural historian.

Started his media career in 1967 as presentation assistant at the SABC. After completing his ACF training in the SA Navy in 1968, he went to the Randse Afrikaanse Universiteit in Braamfontein, Johannesburg, and completed the BA degree with Psychology and Philosophy as major subjects. For post-graduate (Honours) studies in Philosophy, he went to Stellenbosch University in 1974, and in 1975 also completed the Higher Education Diploma, majoring in School Phychology (teacher-psychologist) and Geography. on 24 November 1948.

As a member of the editorial staff of Die Burger he specialized in general news, magistrates courts and the Supreme Court. He was then promoted to editor of the Overberg supplement Hottentots-Holland-Burger, later becoming editor of the property supplement Woongids (later WoonBurger, Kaapse Eiendomme, finally Eiendomme).

Since 1992 he also was editor of the cultural supplement, KultuurKroniek, in 2002 renamed to Erfenis, part of the week-end supplement By. He was personally involved with fund-raising, promotion and managing of the restoration of a number of cultural building, including the Hugenote-Gedenkskool in Dal Josafat and St Stephen's Church on Riebeeck Square in Cape Town, which had originally been The African Theatre, the very first public theatre in South Africa. He is still a member and past Chairman (by rotation) of the St. Stephen's Restoration Board.

Awards and Honours

Through the years he was awarded numerous prizes and medals for his writings, especially those of a cultural nature and conservation of the built environment, and for creating an awareness about the vernacular heritage of South Africa. Amongs the awards are the Gold Medal of the Simon van der Stel Foundation, the Silver Medal of the VOC Foundation, and the Cape Times Centenary Award.