Die Heks

Die Heks (“The Witch”) by C. Louis Leipoldt is considered the first Afrikaans play of real substance. A one-act play about a Cardinal (“The Hammer of the Witches”) who finds himself set to try two women as witches – and the women had been his lover, the girl his daughter. Originally written in English in 1911 (***), reworked in Afrikaans as Die Hamer van die Hekse (“The Hammer of the Witches”) and prepared for publication with some other pieces in 1920, though not published. Finally revised, renamed Die Heks and published in 1923 by Nasionale Pers (and reprinted numerous times since).

C. Louis Leipoldt was awarded the Hertzog Prize for Drama for Die Heks and Die Laaste Aand in 1944.

The original text

Translations and adaptations

Die Hamer van die Hekse, a drama in six episodes based on Die Heks by C. Louis Leipoldt, by André P. Brink. Published by Tafelberg, 1976. Presented by students of the University of Stellenbosch Drama Department in the H.B. Thom Theatre in September 2003, directed by Niël Rademan.

Reworked as a full-length play under its original title by André P. Brink for PACT in 198* and produced by them in 198* with Francois Swart in the lead role, directed by Louis van Niekerk?/Milla Louw??**.

Performance history in South Africa

First produced (on a double bill with Fagan's Lenie) by Stephanie Fauré and Paul de Groot on 2nd May 1925, in the Opera House, Pretoria, with De Groot and Faure in the leading roles, supported by Marguerite (later Greta) de Vos, Herman Steytler, Henri Cilliers and Elsa Niemeyer. The stage manager, make-up artist and set painter was Christiaan A. van Schaik, with the sculptor Fanie Eloff donating the dekor and helping with technical aspects. The play then went on a short tour of Transvaal, including Volksrust. Ultimately had approximately 70 performances. Performed many times since.