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(1913 - 1998) Academic cultural activist and prolific [[Afrikaans]] playwright and compiler of plays. Also known as [[Gerhard Beukes]].
+
[[Gerhard J. Beukes]] (1913 - 1998) was a South African academic, cultural activist and prolific [[Afrikaans]] playwright and compiler of plays.  
  
 +
Also known as '''[[Gerhard Beukes]]''',  '''[[G.J. Beukes]]''' or '''[[Gerhard Johannes Beukes]]'''.
  
 
== Biography ==
 
== Biography ==
  
 +
Born [[Gerhard Johannes Beukes]] on 21 November 1913 on the farm Biesjespoort near Upington, Northern Cape. One of seven children, he only began school at eleven years of age in a farms chool, then and continued his schooling at Keimoes en in 1932 matriculated from the high school at Upington. He studied [[Afrikaans]] and [[Dutch]] at the [[University of Stellenbosch]] (BA 1935, Senior Teacher's Diploma 1936), then completed an MA on [[Afrikaans]] poetry at the [[University of South Africa]] (1939) and in 1946 a doctorate (D.Litt) at the [[University of Pretoria]] with a thesis on the modern one-act play. This led him to theatre and drama as a creative field. In 1956 he obtained a Carnegie-burasry to spend 3 months in the USA to study cuyrrent trends in theatre.
  
Born Gerhard Johannes Beukes on 21 November 1913 on the farm Biesjespoort near Upington, Northern Cape. One of seven children, he only began school at eleven years of age in a farms chool, then and continued his schooling at Keimoes en in 1932 matriculated from the high school at Upington. Married Isabella Pretorius in 1940, and had two sons: Johann and Gerhard. His wife passed away in 1992 and in 1994 he married Marie Lategan. Beukes died in Bloemfontein in 1998.
+
Married Isabella Pretorius in 1940, and had two sons: Johann and Gerhard. His wife passed away in 1992 and in 1994 he married Marie Lategan.  
  
== Training ==
+
Beukes passed away in Bloemfontein in 1998.
  
 +
His sister, [[Lalie Beukes]] (1916-2009),a well known primary school teacher, also wrote some plays.
  
He studied [[Afrikaans]] and [[Dutch]] at the [[University of Stellenbosch]] (BA 1935, Senior Teacher's Diploma 1936), then completed an MA on [[Afrikaans]] poetry at the [[University of South Africa]] (1939) and in 1946 a doctorate (D.Litt) at the [[University of Pretoria]] with a thesis on the modern one-act play. This led him to theatre and drama as a creative field. In 1956 he obtained a Carnegie-burasry to spend 3 months in the USA to study cuyrrent trends in theatre.
+
== Academic career ==
  
 +
After 10 years teaching at schools, beginning at Michaelhouse in Natal in 1937, and ending at Pretoria Boys’ High School, he became a lecturer in [[Afrikaans]] and [[Dutch]] at the then [[University College of the Orange Free State]] ([[UKOVS]] in 1947. He remained a lecturer at what later became the [[University of the Orange Free State]] (and ultinately the [[University of the Free State]]) till his retirement in 1978. He was made a professor in 1961 and in 1973 became Head of the Department of [[Afrikaans en Nederlands]] ("[[Afrikaans]] and [[Dutch]]").
  
== Career ==
+
Beukes retired from academia in 1978
 
 
 
 
After 10 years teaching at schools, beginning at Michaelhouse in Natal in 1937, and ending at Pretoria Boys’ High School, he became a lecturer in [[Afrikaans]] and [[Dutch]] at the then [[University College of the Orange Free State]] ([[UKOVS]] - later to become the [[University of the Orange Free State]] and ultinately the [[University of the Free State]]) in Bloemfontein (1947 -1960), made professor in 1961 and in 1973 became Head of the Department of Afrikaans en Nederlands. Retired in 1978.
 
  
 
== Contribution to South African theatre and performance ==
 
== Contribution to South African theatre and performance ==
Line 22: Line 23:
 
=== As playwright ===
 
=== As playwright ===
  
While a teacher he began writing plays for children and adults, both numerous one-act plays and full length works. His full length plays include:
+
While a teacher he began writing plays for children and adults, both numerous one-act plays and full length works.  
  
 +
'''His full length plays include:'''
  
''[[Die swart engel]]'' ("The black angel"), a play in three acts (1947), ''[[Salomé dans!]]'' (1950), ''[[Langs die steiltes]]''(1952),  
+
''[[Die Swart Engel]]'' ("The black angel") (perf 1946, pub 1947), ''[[Salomé Dans!]]'' (1950), ''[[Langs die steiltes]]''(1952, perf 1953), ''[[As Ons Twee Eers Getroud Is!]]'' (1952); ''[[Jesus van Nasaret]]'' (1954), ''[[Verkiesing sonder politiek!]]'' (perf 1955, pub. 1956), ''[[Judas van Keriot]]'' (1959), ''[[Die Vonkel in Haar Oë!]]'' (perf 1960, pub. 1960), ''[[Man van Keriot]]'' (1976),
 +
 +
'''His many one-act plays include:'''
  
''[[As ons twee eers getroud is!]]'' (1952); ''[[Langs die Steiltes]]'' (perf 1953); ''[[Speurhonde van die Dood]]'' (195?); ''[[Verkiesing sonder politiek!]]'' (1956); ''[[Judas van Keriot]]'' (1959); ''[[Die vonkel in haar oë!]]'' (1964); ''[[Uur van die waarheid]]'' (1969). ''[[Die Braaiboud]]'' (19**), ''[[As Nefie Kom Kuier]]'' (19**and ''[[Familieportret]]'' (19**).  
+
''[[Laat die kerse brand!]]'' (1945);''[[Oktobernag]]'' (1946); ''[[Bo-op die berge]]'' (1947), ''[[Die vrees]]'' (1948); ''[[Kerse Teen die Wind!]]'' (1950), ''[[Mamma het Planne]]'' (1950, aka ''[[Die Noîentjie het Planne!]]'', 1969), ''[[Speurhonde van die Dood]]'' (1954); ''[[Ons het 'n Ster Gesien!]]'' (1957)''[[As die Nefie kom Kuier!]]'' (19**), ''[[Die Winde van U Toorn]]'', ''[[In my Dae]]'', ''[[Die Hand wat hy eenmaal geneem het]]'', ''[[Die Braaiboud]]'' (19**), ''[[Iewers Langs die Pad]]'' (1967), ''[[Viertal]]'' (1968),''[[Uur van die waarheid]]'' (1969), ''[[Familieportret]]'' (19**).
  
His one act plays include:
+
Most of his one act plays were published in a variety of collections, often edited by himself for [[J.L. van Schaik]] publishers.
  
''[[Laat die Kerse Brand!]]'' (1945);''[[Oktobernag]]'' (1946); ''[[Die vrees]]'' (1948); ''[[Kerse teen die wind]]'' (1950);
+
In 1978 [[Charles Malan]] edited ''[[Kortgesprek]]'' ("Short discussion"), a selection from Beukes's  one-act plays, published under Beukes's name by [[J.L. van Schaik]], in celebration of the author's 65th birthday and his retirement from the University.
 
 
 
 
Most of them were published in collections of plays  by [[J.L. van Schaik]]. Collections of his own plays include ''[[Laat die kerse brand! en ander eenbedrywe]]'' (1945), ''[[Kerse teen die wind: tien eenbedrywe]]'' (1950),
 
 
 
Among these are  ''[[Die Swart Engel]]'' (perf 1946, pub. **), ''[[Oktobernag]]'' (Perf 1946, pub 19*), ''[[Bo-op die Berge]]'' (perf 1947, pub 19*) ''[[Langs die Steiltes]]'' (perf 1953, pub 195*), ''[[Speurhonde van die Dood]]'', ''[[As ons twee eers getroud is|As Ons Twee Eers Getroud Is]]'' (perf. 1952, pub. 19**), ''[[Verkiesing sonder politiek!]]'' (perf 1955, pub. 1964), ''[[Die vonkel in haar oë!]]'' (perf 1960, pub. 1960), ''[[Die Braaiboud]]'' (19**),  ''[[As Nefie Kom Kuier]]'' (19**)  and ''[[Familieportret]]'' (19**). 
 
 
 
 
 
[[Die Winde van U Toorn]], [[Oktobernag]], [[In my Dae]], [[Die Hand wat hy eenmaal geneem het]], [[Laat die Kerse Brand!]], [[Braaiboud]].
 
 
 
Collections of his one-act plays include ''[[Kerse teen die wind]]'', met die subtitel tien eenbedrywe,
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
In 1979''[[Kortgesprek]]'' ("Short discussion"), a collection of his one act plays edited by [[Charles Malan]], was published  to celebrate Beukses's 65th birthday and his retirement from the Universiy.
 
  
 
=== As translator ===
 
=== As translator ===
 
 
Besides translations of works by Trygve Gulbranssen and Khalil Gibran, he also translated Molière's ''[[Tartuffe ou L'Imposteur]]'' into [[Afrikaans]] as  ''[[Die huigelaar]]'' (Pretoria: Van Schaik, 1970).
 
Besides translations of works by Trygve Gulbranssen and Khalil Gibran, he also translated Molière's ''[[Tartuffe ou L'Imposteur]]'' into [[Afrikaans]] as  ''[[Die huigelaar]]'' (Pretoria: Van Schaik, 1970).
  
 
=== As compiler and editor===
 
=== As compiler and editor===
  
Over the years he compiled and edited numerous anthologies of plays containing his own texts, but also works by other playwrights, for use by schools, universities and amateur companies, including:
+
In his zeal to promote  [[Drama|drama]] in [[Afrikaans]], Beukes became the most prolific compiler and editor of play collections in South African history, producing numerous anthologies of plays for the publishers [[J.L. van Schaik]] over the course of more than 40 years. Most of these were intended for use by schools, universities and amateur companies and encompassed a number of collections of his own short plays, as well as general collections, usually containing one of his own texts alongside works by other playwrights.
 
 
 
 
Ses eenbedrywe. Pretoria: Van Schaik, 1946, 1947, 1949, 1950, 1954, 1956, 1957, 1958, 1960
 
• Skerm en masker: ’n keur uit die Afrikaanse eenbedrywe. Pretoria: Van Schaik, 1958, 1960, 1961, 1962, 1963, 1964, 1965, 1971, 1974, 1976, 1978 [ISBN 0627003214 (hb)]
 
• Kom ons speel toneel: vier eenbedrywe vir die jeug. Pretoria: Van Schaik, 1959, 1960, 1962, 1963, 1964, 1965, 1970, 1972, 1973, 1974, 1975, 1980, 1983, 1984 [ISBN 0627000746 (hb)]
 
• Spele vir die jongspan. Pretoria: Van Schaik, 1959, 1961, 1970, 1974
 
• Nuwe eenbedrywe: ses eenakters. Pretoria: Van Schaik, 1960, 1973, 1974, 1975 [ISBN 0627001262 (hb)]
 
• Woord en masker: ’n keur uit die Afrikaanse eenbedrywe. Pretoria: Van Schaik, 1964, 1965, 1967, 1968, 1969, 1971, 1974, 1977
 
• Twee sente vir ’n pêrel: drie eenakters vir die jeug. Pretoria: Van Schaik, 1968, 1973, 1974, 1977, 1979, 1980, 1981, 1982
 
• Uur van die waarheid: vier kortspele. Pretoria: Van Schaik, 1970, 1976
 
• Vier Nederlandse eenbedrywe. Pretoria: Van Schaik, 1970, 1974 [ISBN 0627000819 (hb)]
 
• Iewers langs die pad: vier eenbedrywe. Pretoria: Van Schaik, 1970, 1972
 
• Skuif oop die gordyn!: ’n bundel eenbedrywe. Pretoria: Van Schaik, 1982, 1986, 1988 [ISBN 0627012043 (hb); 062701495X (sb)]
 
• Roep van die naguiltjie en ander eenbedrywe. Pretoria: Van Schaik, 1983, 1985 [ISBN 0627013104 (hb)]
 
• ’n Lag en ’n traan: eenbedrywe vir juniorhoërskoolleerlinge. Pretoria: Van Schaik, 1988 [ISBN 0627015743 (sb)]
 
o Mouton, Marisa: Outydse trane
 
• Spel en spelers: vyf kortspele vir die verhoog en studie. Pretoria: Van Schaik, 1988 [ISBN 0627015972 (hb)]
 
Gerhard J Beukes as redakteur
 
• Uitgesoekte eenbedrywe. Pretoria: Van Schaik, 1948, 1950, 1951, 1952, 1954, 1955, 1957, 1958, 1959, 1960, 1961, 1962
 
• Nuwe eenbedrywe 1952. Pretoria: Van Schaik, 1952, 1954, 1956, 1960, 1973, 1974
 
• Vyf nuwe eenbedrywe. Pretoria: Van Schaik, 1957, 1961
 
Gerhard J Beukes as vertaler
 
 
195*: ''[[Uitgesoekte eenbedrywe]]'' Pretoria: J.L. van Schaik
 
  
1965: ''[[Woord en masker]]'' (editor)Pretoria: J.L. van Schaik
+
Among the collections are: ''[[Laat die kerse brand; en ander eenbedrywe]]'' (1945), ''[[Ses Eenbedrywe]]'' (1946), ''[[Uitgesoekte Eenbedrywe]]'' (1948),  ''[[Kerse Teen die Wind: Tien Eenbedrywe]]'', ''[[Nuwe Eenbedrywe]]'' (1952), ''[[Vyf Nuwe Eenbedrywe]]'' (1957), ''[[Skerm en Masker]]'' (1958), ''[[Kom Ons Speel Toneel]]'' (1959, 1963), ''[[Spele vir die Jongspan]]'' (1959), ''[[Woord en Masker]]'' (1964), ''[[Twee Sente vir ’n Pêrel: Drie Eenbedrywe vir die Jeug Byeengebring]]'' (1968), ''[[Die Nôientjie het Planne! Vier Ligte Eenakters]]'' (1969), ''[[Uur Van Waarheid: Vier Kortspele]]'' (1969), ''[[Vier Nederlandse Eenbedrywe]]'' (1970), ''[[Iewers Langs die Pad]]'' (1970), ''[[Skuif Oop die Gordyn!]]'' (1982), ''[[Roep van die Naguiltjie en Ander Eenbedrywe]]'' (1983), ''[[’n Lag en ’n Traan]]'' (1988) and ''[[Spel en Spelers]]'' (1988).
1970: ''[[Vier Nederlandse eenbedrywe]]'' (editor) Pretoria: J.L. van Schaik
 
.
 
  
• Uitgesoekte eenbedrywe. Pretoria: Van Schaik, 1948, 1950, 1951, 1952, 1954, 1955, 1957, 1958, 1959, 1960, 1961, 1962
 
• Nuwe eenbedrywe 1952. Pretoria: Van Schaik, 1952, 1954, 1956, 1960, 1973, 1974
 
• Vyf nuwe eenbedrywe. Pretoria: Van Schaik, 1957, 1961
 
  
Edited numerous collections of one-act plays for schools and amateur companies, including ''[[Nuwe Eenbedrywe]]'' ("New One-act Plays". J.L. van Schaik,1952); ''[[Kom ons speel toneel]]'' ("Come let us act", J.L van Schailk 19**),  **.
+
Many of these editions were reprinted numerous times.
  
 
=== As academic writer ===
 
=== As academic writer ===
 +
''Die Moderne Eenbedryf'' ("The Modern One-act Play"), a published version of his 1947 doctoral thesis. 
  
''[[Die moderne eenbedryf]]'' ["The Modern One-act Play"], a published verion of his 1947 doctoral thesis. 
+
''Skrywers en Rigtings'' ("Writers and Directions"), a widely used handbook on [[Afrikaans]] literature, co-edited with [[Felix Lategan]]. Beukes also wrote the section on [[Drama]].
 
 
[[Skrywers en rigtings]] (co-edited with F.V. Lategan), a much used handbook on [[Afrikaans]] literature. Beukes also wrote the section on Drama.
 
 
 
In 1978 J.L. van Schaik published ''[[Kortgesprek]]'', (compiled by F.V. Lategan) to celebrate the author's 65th birthday.
 
 
 
  
 
=== As lecturer and mentor ===
 
=== As lecturer and mentor ===
  
 
A kind and gentle man with a genuine fondness for his students, he was an immensely engaging and enthusiastic lecturer with a passion for [[Afrikaans]] literature and particularly drama. Over his many years at the University, Beukes inspired many  young writers and academics to contribute to the canaon of Afrikaans writing.     
 
A kind and gentle man with a genuine fondness for his students, he was an immensely engaging and enthusiastic lecturer with a passion for [[Afrikaans]] literature and particularly drama. Over his many years at the University, Beukes inspired many  young writers and academics to contribute to the canaon of Afrikaans writing.     
 
  
 
=== Cultural actitivities and contributions ===
 
=== Cultural actitivities and contributions ===
 +
Much involved in cultural work, he was a member of [[Volksteater]] in Pretoria, particularly involved in their children's theatre project (1941) and was also involved with [[FATSSA]], [[NTO]] and other similar organizations.
  
Much involved in cultural work, he was a member of [[Volksteater]] in Pretoria, particularly involved in their children's theatre project (1941) and was also involved with FATSSA, NTO and other similar organizations.
+
He became a member (and chairman 1973–1975) of the [[Suid-Afrikaanse Akademie vir Wetenskap en Kuns]], Chairman of the [[Kommissie vir Woordkuns]] ("Commission for Verbal Arts") of the [[Nasionale Kultuurraad]] ("National Cultural Council" - 1973-4), and member of the executive of the [[Federasie vir Afrikaans Kultuurvereniginge]] ([[FAK]] - 1973-6). He was the co-founder of a number of organizations, including the [[National Drama Library]] and [[DALRO]]. In 1977 he was made a member of the committee created by the [[Department of National Education]] to study and make recommendations regarding [[Amateur]] Theatre in South Africa.
 
 
He became a member (and chairman 1973–1975) of the [[Suid-Afrikaanse Akademie vir Wetenskap en Kuns]], Chairman of the Kommissie vir Woordkuns ("Commission for Verbal Arts") of the Nasionale Kultuurraad ("National Cultural Council" - 1973-4), and member of the executive of the Federasie vir Afrikaans Kultuurvereniginge ([[FAK]] - 1973-6). He was the co-founder of a number of organizations, including the [[National Drama Library]] and [[DALRO]]. In 1977 he was made a member of the committee created by the [[Department of National Education]] to study and make recommendations regarding [[Amateur]] Theatre in South Africa.
 
  
 
== Awards ==
 
== Awards ==
 
 
1948: Winner of the [[FATSA]] competion for one-act plays: ''[[Die vrees]]''
 
1948: Winner of the [[FATSA]] competion for one-act plays: ''[[Die vrees]]''
  
Line 125: Line 78:
 
== Sources ==
 
== Sources ==
  
http://www.stellenboschwriters.com/beukes.html
+
https://af.wikipedia.org/wiki/Gerhard_J._Beukes
 +
 
 +
''Stellenbosch Writers'' website [http://www.stellenboschwriters.com/beukes.html]
 +
 
 +
''Afrikaans Wikipedia'' [https://af.wikipedia.org/wiki/Gerhard_Beukes]
 +
 
 +
[[Petrus Jacobus du Toit|Du Toit, Petrus Jacobus]] 1988. ''Amateurtoneel in Suid-Afrika''. Pretoria: [[Academica]].
 +
 
 +
[[Erika Terblanche]], biography of [[Gerhard J. Beukes]] in [[LitNet]] (2014-08-21)[https://www.litnet.co.za/gerhard-j-beukes-19131998/]
 +
 
 +
Copy of a catalogue  (handwritten by various hands) of the [[F.C.L. Bosman]] collection held at the [[Nasionale Afrikaanse Letterkunde Museum en Navorsingsentrum]] ([[NALN]]) in Bloemfontein.
  
[[P.J. du Toit]], 1988 
+
[[Jan Senekal|Senekal, Jan]] and [[Karien van Aswegen|Van Aswegen, Karien]] (eds.). 1980. ''Bronne by die Studie van Afrikaanse Dramas 1900-1978''. Johannesburg: [[Perskor]]
  
[[Erika Terblanche]], biography of [[Gerhard J. Beukes]] in [[LitNet]] (2014-08-21)
 
  
 
Go to [[South African Theatre/Bibliography]]
 
Go to [[South African Theatre/Bibliography]]

Latest revision as of 20:02, 17 May 2024

Gerhard J. Beukes (1913 - 1998) was a South African academic, cultural activist and prolific Afrikaans playwright and compiler of plays.

Also known as Gerhard Beukes, G.J. Beukes or Gerhard Johannes Beukes.

Biography

Born Gerhard Johannes Beukes on 21 November 1913 on the farm Biesjespoort near Upington, Northern Cape. One of seven children, he only began school at eleven years of age in a farms chool, then and continued his schooling at Keimoes en in 1932 matriculated from the high school at Upington. He studied Afrikaans and Dutch at the University of Stellenbosch (BA 1935, Senior Teacher's Diploma 1936), then completed an MA on Afrikaans poetry at the University of South Africa (1939) and in 1946 a doctorate (D.Litt) at the University of Pretoria with a thesis on the modern one-act play. This led him to theatre and drama as a creative field. In 1956 he obtained a Carnegie-burasry to spend 3 months in the USA to study cuyrrent trends in theatre.

Married Isabella Pretorius in 1940, and had two sons: Johann and Gerhard. His wife passed away in 1992 and in 1994 he married Marie Lategan.

Beukes passed away in Bloemfontein in 1998.

His sister, Lalie Beukes (1916-2009),a well known primary school teacher, also wrote some plays.

Academic career

After 10 years teaching at schools, beginning at Michaelhouse in Natal in 1937, and ending at Pretoria Boys’ High School, he became a lecturer in Afrikaans and Dutch at the then University College of the Orange Free State (UKOVS in 1947. He remained a lecturer at what later became the University of the Orange Free State (and ultinately the University of the Free State) till his retirement in 1978. He was made a professor in 1961 and in 1973 became Head of the Department of Afrikaans en Nederlands ("Afrikaans and Dutch").

Beukes retired from academia in 1978

Contribution to South African theatre and performance

As playwright

While a teacher he began writing plays for children and adults, both numerous one-act plays and full length works.

His full length plays include:

Die Swart Engel ("The black angel") (perf 1946, pub 1947), Salomé Dans! (1950), Langs die steiltes(1952, perf 1953), As Ons Twee Eers Getroud Is! (1952); Jesus van Nasaret (1954), Verkiesing sonder politiek! (perf 1955, pub. 1956), Judas van Keriot (1959), Die Vonkel in Haar Oë! (perf 1960, pub. 1960), Man van Keriot (1976),

His many one-act plays include:

Laat die kerse brand! (1945);Oktobernag (1946); Bo-op die berge (1947), Die vrees (1948); Kerse Teen die Wind! (1950), Mamma het Planne (1950, aka Die Noîentjie het Planne!, 1969), Speurhonde van die Dood (1954); Ons het 'n Ster Gesien! (1957)As die Nefie kom Kuier! (19**), Die Winde van U Toorn, In my Dae, Die Hand wat hy eenmaal geneem het, Die Braaiboud (19**), Iewers Langs die Pad (1967), Viertal (1968),Uur van die waarheid (1969), Familieportret (19**).

Most of his one act plays were published in a variety of collections, often edited by himself for J.L. van Schaik publishers.

In 1978 Charles Malan edited Kortgesprek ("Short discussion"), a selection from Beukes's one-act plays, published under Beukes's name by J.L. van Schaik, in celebration of the author's 65th birthday and his retirement from the University.

As translator

Besides translations of works by Trygve Gulbranssen and Khalil Gibran, he also translated Molière's Tartuffe ou L'Imposteur into Afrikaans as Die huigelaar (Pretoria: Van Schaik, 1970).

As compiler and editor

In his zeal to promote drama in Afrikaans, Beukes became the most prolific compiler and editor of play collections in South African history, producing numerous anthologies of plays for the publishers J.L. van Schaik over the course of more than 40 years. Most of these were intended for use by schools, universities and amateur companies and encompassed a number of collections of his own short plays, as well as general collections, usually containing one of his own texts alongside works by other playwrights.

Among the collections are: Laat die kerse brand; en ander eenbedrywe (1945), Ses Eenbedrywe (1946), Uitgesoekte Eenbedrywe (1948), Kerse Teen die Wind: Tien Eenbedrywe, Nuwe Eenbedrywe (1952), Vyf Nuwe Eenbedrywe (1957), Skerm en Masker (1958), Kom Ons Speel Toneel (1959, 1963), Spele vir die Jongspan (1959), Woord en Masker (1964), Twee Sente vir ’n Pêrel: Drie Eenbedrywe vir die Jeug Byeengebring (1968), Die Nôientjie het Planne! Vier Ligte Eenakters (1969), Uur Van Waarheid: Vier Kortspele (1969), Vier Nederlandse Eenbedrywe (1970), Iewers Langs die Pad (1970), Skuif Oop die Gordyn! (1982), Roep van die Naguiltjie en Ander Eenbedrywe (1983), ’n Lag en ’n Traan (1988) and Spel en Spelers (1988).


Many of these editions were reprinted numerous times.

As academic writer

Die Moderne Eenbedryf ("The Modern One-act Play"), a published version of his 1947 doctoral thesis.

Skrywers en Rigtings ("Writers and Directions"), a widely used handbook on Afrikaans literature, co-edited with Felix Lategan. Beukes also wrote the section on Drama.

As lecturer and mentor

A kind and gentle man with a genuine fondness for his students, he was an immensely engaging and enthusiastic lecturer with a passion for Afrikaans literature and particularly drama. Over his many years at the University, Beukes inspired many young writers and academics to contribute to the canaon of Afrikaans writing.

Cultural actitivities and contributions

Much involved in cultural work, he was a member of Volksteater in Pretoria, particularly involved in their children's theatre project (1941) and was also involved with FATSSA, NTO and other similar organizations.

He became a member (and chairman 1973–1975) of the Suid-Afrikaanse Akademie vir Wetenskap en Kuns, Chairman of the Kommissie vir Woordkuns ("Commission for Verbal Arts") of the Nasionale Kultuurraad ("National Cultural Council" - 1973-4), and member of the executive of the Federasie vir Afrikaans Kultuurvereniginge (FAK - 1973-6). He was the co-founder of a number of organizations, including the National Drama Library and DALRO. In 1977 he was made a member of the committee created by the Department of National Education to study and make recommendations regarding Amateur Theatre in South Africa.

Awards

1948: Winner of the FATSA competion for one-act plays: Die vrees

1952: The Hertzog Prize for drama for his three plays As ons twee eers getroud is, Langs die steiltes en Salomé dans!. He controversially shared the Prize with W.A. de Klerk, in a time when all expectations were that Uys Krige would be the winner.

1952: The Van Riebeeck Festival prize for drama for As ons twee eers getroud is

1959: Prize of the NG Kerk-uitgewers (on the occasion of the 140th anniversary of the South African Bible Society) for Judas van Keriot

1984: Made an Honorary Member of SA Akademie vir Wetenskap en Kuns

[JH/TH]

Sources

https://af.wikipedia.org/wiki/Gerhard_J._Beukes

Stellenbosch Writers website [1]

Afrikaans Wikipedia [2]

Du Toit, Petrus Jacobus 1988. Amateurtoneel in Suid-Afrika. Pretoria: Academica.

Erika Terblanche, biography of Gerhard J. Beukes in LitNet (2014-08-21)[3]

Copy of a catalogue (handwritten by various hands) of the F.C.L. Bosman collection held at the Nasionale Afrikaanse Letterkunde Museum en Navorsingsentrum (NALN) in Bloemfontein.

Senekal, Jan and Van Aswegen, Karien (eds.). 1980. Bronne by die Studie van Afrikaanse Dramas 1900-1978. Johannesburg: Perskor


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