The Contribution Of The Arts Association To Theatre In The Then South West Africa, 1947 - 1967

ABSTRACT

This dissertation offers a comprehensive account of the origin, nature and development of theatre under the auspices of the Arts Association as a cultural activity in South West Africa as it was called until 1968. In 1947 a branch of the South African Association of Arts, a Fine Arts organisation in South Africa was established in Windhoek, South West Africa. The association organised and developed the Performing Arts in addition to the Visual Arts. The Arts Association saw theatre as a neutral area where they could foster closer mutual relationships between the different European language groups. The biggest achievement of the Arts Association was undoubtedly the sustained development of theatre in Windhoek, which culminated in the erection of the Arts Theatre (1960) and the Art Centre and Gallery (1965). The research revealed that the Arts Association practiced theatre similar to that of South Africa, e.g., the South West Africa theatre practitioners relied heavily on South African playwrights for available texts. Data for this research was gathered from the available primary sources in the archives and newspapers. The significance of this investigative research lies in the fact that this study marks a beginning in the historiography of Namibian theatre, setting up an official database for a portion of Namibian theatre history. The dissertation is a first documentation of the early historical development of theatre in South West Africa. There is information on theatre arts that needs to be addressed urgently before vital information is lost. This study can be used by the theatre students in the Department of Visual and Performing Arts and elsewhere. This dissertation intends to increase understanding, appreciation and critical perception of theatre in South West Africa. The dissertation is not meant to be a complete recording of the Namibian theatre development, but an attempt to interest other researchers to continue with the documenting of Namibia’s theatre history.