Justus Cornelias Dirks
Justus Cornelias Dirks (1911-2001) was a writer from South Africa.
Cor Dirks | |
|---|---|
| Personal details | |
| Born | Justus Cornelias Dirks February 28, 1911 Volksrust, Transvaal, South Africa |
| Died | October 15, 2001 (aged 90) Johannesburg, Gauteng, South Africa |
| Spouse | Elsje Christina van Niekerk |
| Children | 2 |
| Alma mater | Potchefstroom University for Christian Higher Education |
| Known for | Youth fiction writer |
History
Dirks was born on 28 February 1911 in Volksrust, Transvaal, South Africa to Justus Dirks and Cornelia Petronella Herselmann. He married Elsje Christina van Niekerk on 7 July 1939. The couple had two children. Dirks died on 15 October 2001, in Johannesburg, Gauteng, South Africa.
Education
Having passed standard 10 (grade 12) in 1928 at Volksrust High School, Dirks studied from 1929 to 1937 at the Potchefstroom University for Christian Higher Education and obtained a BA (History and English), MA (History) and a diploma in Education.
Career
From 1934 to 1973 Dirks taught at schools in Duiwelskloof, Potchefstroom, Belfast, Boksburg and Johannesburg. He was Vice-Headmaster at Voortrekker High School in Boksburg and Headmaster of Linden High School, in Johannesburg for 18 years.
Writing
In addition to books, other writings were published or broadcast:
- short stories in magazines and newspapers namely Die Jongspan, Die Naweek, Die Brandwag, Die Huisgenoot, Die Huisvrou, Die Ruiter and 10-Plus,
- a drama, televised by the SABC during South Africa's first day of television in 1976, named Die Dubbele Alibi (translated from Afrikaans: The Double Alibi),
- a series: Die Honde van Donkerkrans (translated: The Dogs of Dark Cliff), broadcast on radio in 1976.
Books written:
| Year | Title | Title translated | Part of a series | Reference |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1946 | As Die Galg Dreig | When you face the Gallow | No | |
| 1947 | Arendnes se Moordenaar | Eagle Nest's Murderer | No | |
| 1948 | Hoefslag van Die Dood | Hoofbeat of The Death | No | |
| 1949 | Die Uile van Kranskop | The Owls of Kranskop | Yes | |
| 1950 | Bloed in die Weste | Blood in the West | No | |
| 1950 | Moord wek Moord | Murder begets Murder | No | |
| 1950 | Wadda van die Woestyn | Wadda from the Desert | No | |
| 1950 | Die Uile en die Rampokkers | The Owls and the Gangsters | Yes | |
| 1951 | Arend van As | Arend van As | No | |
| 1953 | Breuk Onder die Uile | The Owls Split Up | Yes | |
| 1954 | Die Uile in die Wildtuin | The Owls in the Game Reserve | Yes | |
| 1956 | Ghoerie : die Musketier | Ghoerie – the Musketeer | No | |
| 1956 | Die Uile in die Kalahari | The Owls in the Kalahari | Yes | |
| 1957 | Die Uile en die Verlore Stad | The Owls and the Lost City | Yes | |
| 1958 | Die Uile langs die Limpopo | The Owls beside the Limpopo | Yes | |
| 1959 | Die Uile by die See | The Owls by the Sea | Yes | |
| 1961 | Die Uile in die Wapad | The Owls on the Wagon Trail | Yes | |
| 1965 | Vyf Uile en ’n Tier | Five Owls and a Tiger | Yes | |
| 1966 | Rooi Oog, Geel Oog | Red Eye, Yellow Eye | No | |
| 1966 | Die Uile in die Gimnasium | The Owls in the Gymnasium | Yes | |
| 1971 | Ben Opperman van Hoogland | Ben Opperman of Highland | NO | |
| 1971 | Die Uile in Mosambiek | The Owls in Mozambique | Yes | |
| 1976 | Die Smits gaan See toe | The Smits visit the Sea | No | |
| 1977 | Joof van Doringkop | Joof of Doringkop | Yes | |
| 1979 | Joof en sy Maats by Doringspruit | Joof and his Friends at Thorn Creek | Yes | |
| 1980 | Joof en sy Maats in Etosha | Joof and his Friends at Etosha | Yes | |
| 1981 | Joof en sy Maats op Doringkruin | Joof and his Friends on Thorn Crest | Yes | |
| 1981 | Joof en sy Maats onder die Koeëls | Joof and his Friends Under Fire | Yes | |
| 1981 | Die Otters | The Otters | Yes | |
| 1983 | Joof en sy Maats se Bergavontuur | Joof and his Friends' Mountain Adventure | Yes | |
| 1983 | Joof en sy Maats in Tongaland | Joof and his Friends in Tonga Land | Yes | |
| 1983 | Joof en sy Maats : Platina uit Wes-Transvaal | Joof and his Friends – Platina from Western Transvaal | Yes | |
| 1983 | Die Otters op die Bosveldplaas | The Otters on the Bushveld Farm | Yes | |
| 1983 | Die Otters se Koshuisstreke | The Otters' escapades at the School Hostel | Yes | |
| 1984 | Die Otters en die Huis op die Krans | The Otters and the House on the Cliff | Yes | |
| 1985 | Die Otters se Fietstoer | The Otters' Cycle Tour | Yes | |
| 1986 | Joof en sy Maats en die Dwelmsmokkelaars | Joof and his Friends and the Drug Dealers | Yes | |
| 1986 | Die Otters en die Skateiland van die Seychelles | The Otters and the Treasure Island of the Seychelles | Yes | |
| 1988 | Joof en sy Maats en die Ivoordiewe | Joof and his Friends and the Ivory Thieves | Yes | |
| 1988 | Die Otters se Veldskoolavonture | The Otters' School Trip Adventures | Yes | |
| 1989 | Die Otters in die Okavango-moeras | The Otters in the Okavango Marsh | Yes | |
| 1990 | Die Uile Vlieg Weer | The Owls Fly Again | Yes |
Note: "The Owls and the Otters" refer to a group of friends and their adventures. Joof is a boy's name.
Recognition
- Linden High School named a building after him.
- He received an academic award in 1999 at the Aardklop Art Festival in Potchefstroom for his contribution to children's literature.
References
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