OBITUARY: Ben Dekker — forester, actor, philosopher who stood for Parliament from a fruit barrow
Ben Dekker challenged the leader of the opposition to a swim to Robben Island, wrote a thesis on African philosophy that no South African university would accept, and settled in a hut on the Wild Coast with a garden, a forest and an ocean as a constant neighbour.
Ben Dekker, a forester, actor, and philosopher, passed away on November 9 at the age of 86. Born on October 21, 1940, in Centane, Eastern Cape, Dekker grew up surrounded by wild bush and the sea. After completing his schooling, he worked for the Department of Forestry and later enrolled at Rhodes University to study philosophy and fine arts.
Dekker's master's thesis, Bantu Philosophy, challenged the European-centric view of civilization and argued for the significance of African thought. Unfortunately, his thesis was rejected by examiners and South African universities, resulting in protests and media coverage. Dekker moved to Cape Town in 1966 to pursue his acting career and continued his philosophical studies.
A natural actor with strong Jungian archetypes, Dekker appeared in 84 filmed productions throughout his career, often challenging societal norms through his work.
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