by Thinus Ferreira
The veteran actor, writer and producer Ben Kruger, known for his role in Binnelanders on kykNET (DStv 144) has died from Covid-19 complications. He was 64.
A kykNET spokesperson on Wednesday morning confirmed the news of the actor's passing to TVwithThinus.
Ben Kruger was known for his role as Okkie Ferreira since 2014 in the weekday Afrikaans soap Binnelanders produced by Stark Films, and as teacher Christo de Wet in the drama series Skooldae produced by Franz Marx on the SABC's then-TV1 channel.
Ben Kruger leaves behind his wife Cheryl, and their 3 sons Dan, Ivan and Niku.
kykNET in a
statement on Wednesday afternoon sent to TVwithThinus said "Ben Kruger, known as Okkie Ferreira, in Binnelanders,
as well as Mr De Wet in Skooldae, has passed away this morning due to
Covid-19 complications at his house in Brooklyn, Pretoria".
Karen
Meiring, M-Net director for kykNET channels, says "We keep Ben Kruger’s family
and the Binnelanders cast and crew in our thoughts, while we process the
shock of his passing. Ben was loved by all – this is a huge loss for our
industry."
Elsje Stark, Binnelanders
producer says "It's with
great sadness that the Binnelanders family heard about the sudden
passing of Ben Kruger, a much-loved member of our team of actors".
"Ben portrayed
the role of Okkie Ferreira for nearly 9 years in his own unique way and held
a very special place in the hearts of his colleagues and loyal viewers. We will
always remember him for his professionalism, dignity, humour – and without a
doubt for his ability to make the best potjie! We're going to miss you Ben."
According to
kykNET Binnelanders episodes are recorded 3 months in advance, which
means that the character, Okkie, will be in Binnelanders for the next
few months.
Ben Kruger who was born in 1957 in Bothaville in the Free State, took part in various radio plays, advertisements and stage plays with the help of his drama teacher and also acted in his first movie playing Dirkie Uys in Dave Millen's movie Die Voortrekkers.
He obtained his BA degree in drama from the University of Pretoria. He was Sakkie Bezuidenhoudt in the SABC2 drama series Zero Tolerance; Neef Gert in SABC2's 7de Laan and James Gregory, a former jailer and later friend of Nelson Mandela, in the 1997 made-for-TV movie Mandela and de Klerk.
After his navy training he started working as a professional actor in a Jan Scholtz movie, 'n Sondag in September, as well as the SABC production Die Pannekoekhuis.
Ben Kruger also had roles in TV series ranging from Tiny, and Gabriel to SABC1's Generations, Jacob's Cross, Moeggeploeg, Riemvasmaak, Silent Witness, Soul Buddyz, Triptiek, Savage and Van Der Walt's Fault in which he played Paul Kruger.
He appeared in films ranging from Orkney Snork Nie 2 to Poena is Koning and on stage he appeared in plays ranging from My Pa Dink Hy's Elvis and Groet die Grotoupa to the Afrikaans version of Arthur Miller's Dood van 'n Verkoopsman.
It's as unclear when Ben Kruger became ill and was confirmed as having Covid-19 and what safety protocols Stark Studios implemented. It's also still unclear how the character of Okkie will exit Binnelanders and how the production will work the character's exit into the show.
More information and comments as it becomes available will be added here.
