Ingrid Jonker
Ingrid Jonker
Jonker’s mother died in 1943, and Ingrid and Anna were sent to school in
Jonker began writing poems as a young girl, producing her first collection, Na die somer, at 13. By 16, she was corresponding with the South African writer and poet D.J. Opperman and publishing in Die Huisgenoot.
In 1956, the poet married Pieter Venter and gave birth to a daughter, Simone, a year later. The couple moved to
The relationship with her father was tempestuous and bitter. As writer, editor and National Party Member of Parliament, Dr Abraham Jonker was instrumental in implementing censorship laws on art, publications and entertainment. Their political differences were public and humiliating, and Abraham publicly denied Ingrid as his daughter.
The Afrikaanse Pers-Boekhandel prize and a scholarship from Anglo American Corporation enabled her to travel to
The multiple losses of her childhood, her failed marriage, the anxiety resulting from her affairs and her father’s bitter rejection finally proved overwhelming. On the night of 19 July 1965, she walked into the sea at
Ontvlugting, Culemborg, Cape Town, 1956
Rook en Oker, Afrikaanse Pers, Johannesburg, 1963
Kantelson, Afrikaanse Pers, Johannesburg, 1966
'n Seun na my hart; 'n dram in een bedryf, Johannesburg, 1968, Dalro
Versamelde Werke, Perskor, Johannesburg, 1975
Collected Works, Translated by Jack Cope & William Plomer, Human & Rousseau, 2001
Black Butterflies, Translated by Antjie Krog & André Brink, Human & Rousseau, 2007
Links:
A documentary film was made about Ingrid Jonker’s life:
http://www.ingridjonker.com/Making%20of.html
The Sunday Times Heritage Project:
http://heritage.thetimes.co.za/memorials/WC/IngridJonker/
Her Post-humous Award - the Order of Ikhamanga in Silver:
http://www.info.gov.za/aboutgovt/orders/2004/jonker.htm/
Selected Poems: Ingrid Jonker
http://www.nb.co.za/product/selected-poems--ingrid-jonker/2885/
Black Butterflies:
http://www.nb.co.za/product/black-butterflies/3500/
Launch of Black Butterflies:
http://nb.book.co.za