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Cor Dirks
Personal details
Born
Justus Cornelias Dirks

(1911-02-28)February 28, 1911
Volksrust, Transvaal, South Africa
Died October 15, 2001(2001-10-15) (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

Justus Cornelias Dirks, often known as Cor Dirks, was a well-known author from South Africa. He wrote many exciting books, especially for young people. He was also a dedicated teacher for most of his life.

School and University Life

Cor Dirks finished high school in 1928 at Volksrust High School. After that, he went to Potchefstroom University for Christian Higher Education. He studied there from 1929 to 1937. During his time at university, he earned degrees in History and English. He also received a special diploma that allowed him to become a teacher.

Cor Dirks' Teaching Career

After finishing his studies, Cor Dirks became a teacher. He taught at different schools from 1934 to 1973. He worked in towns like Duiwelskloof, Potchefstroom, Belfast, Boksburg, and Johannesburg.

He was the Vice-Headmaster (a senior teacher who helps the headmaster) at Voortrekker High School in Boksburg. Later, he became the Headmaster (the main leader) of Linden High School in Johannesburg. He led Linden High School for 18 years.

His Amazing Writing Work

Besides teaching, Cor Dirks was a very busy writer. He wrote many short stories for popular magazines and newspapers. Some of these included Die Jongspan, Die Naweek, Die Brandwag, Die Huisgenoot, Die Huisvrou, Die Ruiter, and 10-Plus.

He also wrote for television and radio.

  • On the very first day that television started in South Africa in 1976, a drama he wrote was shown. It was called Die Dubbele Alibi, which means The Double Alibi.
  • He also wrote a radio series called Die Honde van Donkerkrans (The Dogs of Dark Cliff). This series was broadcast on the radio in 1976.

Books Written by Cor Dirks

Cor Dirks wrote many books, especially adventure stories for young readers. Many of his books were part of popular series, like "The Owls" and "Joof and his Friends."

Year Title Title translated Part of a series Reference
1946 As Die Galg Dreig If Death Threatens No
1947 Arendnes se Moordenaar Eagle Nest's Murderer No
1948 Hoefslag van Die Dood The Sound of Death No
1949 Die Uile van Kranskop Owls of Kranskop Yes
1950 Bloed in die Weste Blood in the west No
1950 Moord Wek Moord Murder creates 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 Musketeer 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 next to 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 from Hoogland NO
1971 Die Uile in Mosambiek The Owls in Mozambique Yes
1976 Die Smits gaan See toe The Smits go to Sea No
1977 Joof van Doringkop Joof from Doringkop Yes
1979 Joof en sy Maats by Doringspruit Joof and his Friends at Doring Fountain 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 in Doring Kroon 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 : Platinum from Wetrsren Transvaal Yes
1983 Die Otters op die Bosveldplaas The Otters on the Bosveld Farm Yes
1983 Die Otters se koshuisstreke The Otters in the Schools 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 Die Otters en die Skateiland van die Seychelles The Otters and the Treasure Island of 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 Yes
1990 Die Uile Vlieg Weer The Owls Fly Again Yes

Note: "The Owls" and "The Otters" refer to groups of friends and their adventures. Joof is a boy’s name.

Awards and Recognition

Cor Dirks was honored for his important work.

  • Linden High School, where he was headmaster, named a building after him. This shows how much they respected him.
  • In 1999, he received a special academic award. This was at the Aardklop Art Festival in Potchefstroom. He earned this award for his great contribution to children's literature.
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