N A Blanckenberg

1904-1988

Author of various books
Translator of Latin poetry into Afrikaans

Nicolaas (Nico) Andries Blanckenberg grew up on the farm Olifantskop near Langebaan.
He studied at the Teacher's College in Graaff-Reinet (BA 1925) and at Stellenbosch University (Higher Teacher's diploma 1927, MEd 1939).
After his studies he was a teacher in Beaufort West and Noupoort and then served as Head of the Secondary School in Cookhouse from 1929-1945. He taught afterwards at the Teacher's Colleges in Graaff-Reinet, Mowbray and Oudtshoorn. After his retirement from the Teacher's College in Graaff-Reinet in the middle sixties, he served as inspector for coloured schools at the West Coast and then as lecturer at the Paarl Teacher's College.
Thereafter he moved to Langebaan where he dedicated his time to his great love: the translation of Latin poetry into Afrikaans. Later he moved to retirement homes in Somerset West and Strand. At the time of his death he was translating Augustinus (die Belydenisse van die Kerkvader Augustinus) and was planning to research and write the the story of Child immigrants from Holland, who came to Graaff-Reinet in the mid-1850's.
Nico Blanckenberg was married to Edna Paterson and after her death to Ada Ferreira, who was his co-author of several books and compilations. He had a son, Angus.

He died on 24 Julie 1988, at Huis Ametis in Strand.

Award: Academy Award for the translation of poetry 1977 and 1983