This article is an exploratory study of how Khoisan (so-called ‘Hottentot’ and ‘Boesman’) characters, as well as some of the other indigenous peoples of South Africa are portrayed in a few early Dutch-Afrikaans dramas; in particular Boniface's De Temperantisten, A. G. Bain's Kaatje Kekkelbek, some of Melt Brink's plays, and S. J. du Toit's Magrita Prinslo. In order to get a sense of the period (1832-1920) an introductory section focuses on the historical and cultural contexts in which Dutch-Afrikaans drama and theatre developed in this country. These contexts had a direct impact on this development and give some form of understanding as to why Dutch-Afrikaans theatre and English theatre in South Africa developed so differently from each other. The role played by the emergence of the Afrikaans language (as well as Afrikaner Nationalism) within these contexts is also briefly discussed. The main focus of the article is finally on the portrayal of Khoisan characters as found in the four above-mentioned authors’ work.

The development of South African drama and theatre (1832-1925)

English theatre versus Dutch-Afrikaans theatre

From the start of settler history in South Africa a division existed between the Dutch and British communities in South Africa because of the events that characterised their respective settlements in this country. The establishment of a Dutch trade station in 1652 at the Cape led to the gradual growth of a mainly Dutch community in the country, although various other groups, including German, French, and Malay people came to the Cape during the seventeenth and eighteenth centuries.