Cor Dirks

Justus Cornelias Dirks (1911–2000) was a writer from South Africa.

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 2000, 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 translatedPart 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.