A Dry White Season (1989), based on a novel by Brink, used a largely American cast … Named after famous South African playwright Athol Fugard, the theatre was established in 2010. His work, The Girl Who Killed To Save, was the first published play by a black writer in English. The 1930s and the 1940s saw the blooming of the work of Herbert Dhlomo, a teacher, journalist and musician, who was the first South African playwright to make a significant attempt to challenge colonial domination through drama. 22. Van Wyk Louw was born in Johannesburg, South Africa and is one of the “Dertigers” — or writers of the ’30s — a group of famous Afrikaans-language poets of the 1930s. (1976), the first major South African film made by a Black artist. gauteng.net . Born in South Africa but spending most of her life in Botswana, Bessie Head grew up in the thick of racial conflict as the daughter of a wealthy white South African and her black servant. In South Africa: Film …and Soweto-based playwright and filmmaker Gibson Kente directed How Long (Must We Suffer…)? Athol Fugard FRSL OIS (born 11 June 1932) is a South African playwright, novelist, actor, and director widely regarded as South Africa’s greatest playwright. Her work however avoids the contentious and ‘obvious’ topics for South African writers, largely resisting overt political messages and plotlines. Written by Julia Austin Sep 16, 2014. Van de Ruit co-wrote a popular sketch show, “Green Mamba,” which toured throughout South Africa. literary prize and the S.A.B.C. Kani was born in New Brighton, Eastern Cape, South Africa. Reza de Wet has won more theatre and literary awards than any other South African playwright. An author, actor, playwright and producer, van de Ruit sold the rights to “Spud” and the book was turned into a movie in 2010. Kente was born in Duncan Village just outside of East London in Eastern Cape, South Africa. Share Tweet. Jane Taylor (born 19 April 1956) is a South African writer, playwright and academic. PLAYWRIGHT — Reza de Wet. Written by Julia Austin Sep 16, 2014. prize for radio plays. John Kani. Bioh starred in plays off-Broadway by notable African-American playwrights (including some others on this list!) SHARES. He is best known for his political plays opposing the system of apartheid and for the 2005 Oscar-winning film of his novel Tsotsi, directed by Gavin Hood. before beginning to pen her own. She currently holds the Andrew W. Mellon Chair of Aesthetic Theory and Material Performance at the Centre for Humanities Research at the University of the Western Cape in South Africa. SHARES. 10 Famous South African Playwrights. Durbanite John van de Ruit is best known for his novel, “Spud”—a comedy about life in boarding school. 10 Famous South African Playwrights. A Broadway actress turned playwright, Jocelyn Bioh is a daughter of Ghanaian immigrants who grew up in Washington Heights. Share Tweet. 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