Martie Preller

Martie Preller (1948–2023) was a teacher, writing instructor, award-winning author of children's books, translator, radio and TV scriptwriter and playwright.

Biography

Born Martie Coetzee (Preller) in Potchefstroom on 2 November 1948, where she completed her schooling at the Laerskool Mooirivier and Hoërskool Gimnasium, before completing a BA with English and Latin as majors (cum laude, 1969) and a Teacher's diploma (cum laude, 1970) at the University of Potchefstroom.

She began her career as a teacher at the Hoërskool Gimnasium in Potchefstroom (Latin and English, 1971-1972), Hoërskool Fakkel, Johannesburg (Latin and English, 1973) and the Hoërskool Randburg (for one term in 1974), before turning to private tutoring Latin and English, later also developing and presenting various forms of writing courses.

She later qualified in Psychology (BA Unisa, 1988-1990; BA Hons, RAU 1991).

She began her own writing career in the 1980s with writing for young people, including plays for schools, eventually becoming a professional writer in various genres in the 1990s.

Married to Johan Preller, with whom she had three children, but divorced in 1988.

Contribution to SA theatre, film, media and/or performance

Her plays include: Die Groot Slang en die Ongehoorsame Kind: 'n Tsonga-legende (1986); Moditjhaba (1989), four plays in the collection Die Wind Sal Weet: Verhale, Toneelstukke en Gedigte (1990).

TV scripts include 3-UP (series for children, 1999). - Draaiboeke vir gedeelte van die programme asook die "skakels". Thysie Kwadraat (adult drama 2002), Balkie (TV series) and A Child of Africa.