by Thinus Ferreira
The South African actor Marko van der Colff who lived in Betty's Bay died on Saturday, he was 79.
His life partner, Retha Kruger in a social media post, wrote "I have no words. Marko has completed his life journey. Oh, Bollie. Xx".
Mark van der Colff would have turned 80 on 26 December. The cause of his death is unknown.
His first book, Dieper as drome, was published in 2023.
Mark van der Colff started his professional acting career in 1972 at the Transvaalse Raad vir Uitvoerende Kunste (Truk), and moved to the Streeksraad vir die Uitvoerende Kunste van die Oranje-Vrystaat (Sukovs) in 1975.
A year later, in 1976, he joined the Kaaplandse Raad vir die Uitvoerende Kunste (Kruik).
As actor Marko van der Colff appeared in numerous films and TV series over several decades.
In Afrikaans films, he had roles in 1973's Die Sersant en die Tiger Moth, Babbelkous and Decision to Die, Hersfland, Nag van die 19de, Die Storie van Klara Viljee, Paljas, Kaalgat tussen die Daisies, Goodbye Bafana, Endgame, Die Windpomp, Long Walk to Freedom, the TV movies Ampie and Dear Kosie, and the short film Die Buurtwag.
With the start of television in South Africa Marko van der Colff appeared in series ranging from Galery and Dirk Hoffman to Die Mannheim-Sage, Die Seders van Lebanon, Wolwedans in die Skemer, the third season of Arende, as well as The Visual Bible: Acts.
He also appeared on TV in series like The Syndicate, Malan & Kie, Lied van die Lappop, Geraldina die Tweede, Transito, both seasons of Vallei van Sluiers, e.tv's Madam & Eve, Scoop Schoombie, Oupa en Ouma Sit op die Stoep, Die Boland Moorde, S.O.S., Onder die Suiderkruis, Lui maar op, Belinda, Die Byl, League of Glory, Vloeksteen, as well as in four episodes of kykNET's Nêrens, Noord-Kaap as the character of Neill.
On stage, he had roles in Anastasia, Die Drie Van der Walts, Die Wonderwerk, Die Nag van Legio, The Orange Earth, Die Plaasvervangers, Kom terug, Sheba, Die Oresteia trilogie, Othello, Taraboemdery, Lokval vir 'n Eensame Man, Pase, Die brandstigters, Kamer 99, Die Paddas, The Royal Hunt of the Sun, Die Hekse van Salem, Toorberg, The Cactus Flower, The Fantastics, Babbelkous & Bruidegom, Die Seemeeu, Die Rebellie, Andorra, Kanna Hy Ko Huistoe, Richard, Arturo Ui, A Midsummer Night's Dream, Uncle Vanya, Goodbye Johnny (which he wrote), 'n Seder val in Waterkloof, The Curse of the Starving Class, Kinkels innie Kabel, as well as Arthur Miller's The Crucible.
Mark van der Colff translated Athol Fugard's People are Living There, as well as The Odd Couple into Die Onpaar Paar, and directed Charley se Tante and Met Permissie Gese, Vettie, Vettie.
Besides film, TV and theatre, Marko van der Colff was also a voice artist and was heard in numerous radio commercials and radio series.
