by Thinus Ferreira
The South African director Bromley Cawood has died, he was 72.
Bromley Cawood, the older brother of actress Elize Cawood who died in July 2020, passed away on Friday 1 January 2021 after he fell in late December and was hospitalised.
Jenna Dunster, daughter of Elize Cawood, said on Facebook that Bromley Cawood fell and was hospitalised on 22 December after which his health declined rapidly.
Bromley Cawood worked as a director at the Afrikaans weekday soap Getroud met Rugby on kykNET (DStv 144) produced by Overberg Produksies.
"It is with heavy and sad hearts that the whole Getroud met Rugby family and I process the news of Bromley Cawood's passing," says Deon Opperman, Getroud met Rugby producer.
"It was a rare privilege to have a person with his deep experience in, and knowledge of television as a member of our team. His absence will be felt deeply. Rest in peace, Bromley."
Bromley Cawood was a director of 1 200 episodes of M-Net's (DStv 101) former weekday soap, Egoli - Place of Gold produced by Franz Marx Films, as well as the film, Egoli: Afrikaners is Plesierig. He was also the director of films like Wolhaarstories (1983), Tawwe Tienies (1984), Skating on Thin Uys (1985) and Susanna van Biljon (2010).
He also worked on the other Franz Marx series The Res of 2004, as well as 2002's Behind the Badge.
Bromley Cawood was also a director at Urban Brew Studios, as well as for Homebrew Films on productions like Bravo! for kykNET and All Access for M-Net.
After studying at the University of the Free State until 1969 for a BA degree he never completed, Bromley Cawood worked between 1970 and 1977 in theatre at Pacofs in the Free State province as actor, designer and technical advisor.
He won the Piers Nicholson Award in 1975 and moved to London to work in the United Kingdom as company manager on the West End production of Ipi Tombi from 1978 to 1979 for Ray Cooney Productions.
Bromley Cawood returned to South Africa in 1980 and worked on several TV productions for the South African public broadcaster, as well as for production companies as art director. He directed 11 drama series for the SABC and received 4 Artes award nominations.
Besides being a guest lecturer at Wits's TV school he also directed several theatre productions.
Bromley Cawood's death comes just over 3 months after the death of fellow Getroud met Rugby director David Clatworthy who died in September 2020 after losing his battle against cancer.
