Durban theatre legend Prof Pieter Scholtz has died at the
age of 88.
By BILLY SUTER (sosuterbill on July 5, 2025)
TODAY marks a very sad day for the South African theatre
community. Emeritus Professor Pieter Scholtz, a celebrated actor, playwright
and novelist, who for 22 years headed the Department of Speech and Drama at the
University of Natal in Durban (now UKZN), died this afternoon at Durban’s St
Augustine’s Hospital after a period of declining health. He was 88.
Jane Ross, a friend of the Pietermaritzburg-born theatre legend, confirmed his death and said she had been holding his hand during what was “a very beautiful and peaceful passing”.
Having taken over the reins from Prof Elizabeth Sneddon as head of drama at the Durban university from 1973 to 1995, Prof Scholtz was widely acclaimed and well-loved.
He is on record as having written 19 plays, 16 of them for young audiences, and these were performed throughout South Africa and also in the UK and Australia. Works in his Plays for Young Africa series were presented in the Durban university’s Open-Air theatre each year for six-monthly seasons. When he retired in 1995, the theatre was officially named the Pieter Scholtz Open-air Theatre.
Prof Scholtz was awarded the Edinburgh Crystal Award for his significant contribution to the creative and artistic life of the Elizabeth Sneddon Theatre in 1995 – and in 1997, he renovated an old Methodist church in Greyville, Durban, and ran it as the KwaSuka Theatre for a number of years.
He had reportedly been writing and publishing plays, novels and poetry collections under his own imprint, Horus Publications, since 2007 – and he received many awards for playwriting and productions. Among his many accolades was twice receiving the Amstel Playwright of the Year award, for two plays in his Tambootie series. Two of his books were published by Struik Publishers (Tales of the Tokoloshe and Demon of the Curry Powders).
Prof Scholtz was particularly noted for his production of the Zulu Macbeth, titled Umabatha. First staged in 1969 at the university’s open-air theatre, it went on to be performed at the World Theatre Season in London in 1972, with Welcome Msomi in the title role. It was also very well received during a season at London’s the Aldwych theatre.
Durban theatre doyenne Caroline Smart, a longtime colleague of Prof Scholz, was saddened by her friend's passing: “He had been in decline for a few years, but ploughed on with his characteristic determination”.
She recalled that “whether by request or not, he was able to quote accurately from any Shakespeare play” and added that their association started in 1975 with productions at Durban's City Centre Theatre Workshop, including Story of an African Farm in 1978. Smart also appeared alongside Prof Scholtz in Suicide, the production that opened the Drama theatre at Durban’s Playhouse, and she fondly remembers playing Golde to his Tevye in Fiddler on the Roof in 1982.
“My late husband, Peter Gardner, and I – along with Patrick Collyer – were also very much involved in the creation of the Kwasuka Theatre and the naming of the Courtyard theatre space there in memory of poet Douglas Livingstone.”
Smart said it was about 16 years ago that Prof Scholtz and friends started what would become a monthly gathering, Mondays @ 6, at Musgrave’s St Clements restaurant. It is still a regular event.
Smart added: “You had an extraordinary life, Pieter. You made a huge contribution to theatre in Durban and to the lives of those students who worked with you. May you now rest in well-deserved peace.”
Tim Wells, a former student of Prof Scholtz, wrote on Facebook: "R.I.P. Prof. Love to all family and friends. I have great memories and certainly learned a lot."
Other former students, Philippa Savage and Caroline Palmer, also expressed great sadness, Palmer further commenting: "Ah, my heart. This man believed in me and gave me some of the best plays of my life. My heart just sank. Rest in peace dear Prof! Durban has lost a legend. My deepest condolences to family and friends".
Ingride Lewis wrote on social media: "Fly in the arms of the angels. May their wings protect you and guide you as you journey to your new Heavenly theatre, where many loved ones from the past are waiting to join you. Bravo for all your success - and bravo for giving so many of us the chance to tread the boards, meet challenges."
Funeral arrangements have yet to be announced. – Billy Suter
https://sosuterbill.com/2025/07/05/death-of-prof-pieter-scholtz/
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