Dawid Minnaar: A closer look at his life, career, and artistic influence
Dawid Minnaar is a celebrated South African actor known for his powerful screen presence and depth. He gained fame for his role as Dr. Franz Basson in the M-Net/kykNET soap Binneland. He also starred as architect Leon de Lange in 7de Laan. The role showcased his versatility and strengthened his impact on local television. Here is more about the actor.
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TABLE OF CONTENTS
Key takeaways
- Dawid Minnaar has built a remarkable career through decades of work in theatre, television, and film.
- His performances in Binneland and 7de Laan made him a familiar face in South African households.
- His award-winning theatre roles in productions like Macbeth.Slapeloos and Die Moeder highlight his lasting influence on South African stage performance.
Profile summary
Full name | Dawid Minnaar |
Gender | Male |
Date of birth | 18 of July 1956 |
Age | 69 years (as of 2025) |
Zodiac sign | Cancer |
Place of birth | Upington, Northern Cape province of South Africa |
Current residence | Johannesburg, South Africa |
Occupation | Actor |
Nationality | South African |
Ethnicity | White |
Height | 1.8m |
Eye colour | Brown |
Languages | English and Afrikaans |
Who is Dawid Minnaar?
Dawid is an outstanding actor that has positively impacted the film and TV industries in South Africa. Additionally, he is also a stage and radio actor. He was born in Upington in the Northern Cape region and was the youngest of five children.
Dawid grew up in the south-western part of Namibia on karakul farm. He went to primary school at Bethanie and high school at Paarl Boys High.
After working in the military service for one year, he enrolled at the University of Stellenbosch, Department of Drama, where he completed a B.A. He also joined the University of Cape Town and received a B.A. Honors degree in Drama upon completion.
What is Dawid Minnaar's age?
The actor is 69 years as of 2025. He was born on 18 of July 1956.
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Who is Dawid Minnaar's son?
It is unknown if the South African actor has any children. Any information about Dawid Minnaar's family is unavailable besides the fact that he was the youngest of five siblings.
Is Dawid Minnaar married?
There is no existing information concerning the existence Dawid Minnaar's wife since the actor keeps his personal life private.
Career
Dawid’s professional acting career began in 1981 after he enrolled in the then South West African Performing Arts Council (SWAPAC). Between 1982 and 1985, he resided in Cape Town where he also had a job. He spent two years with CAPAB and also did a bit of freelancing.
Since 1986, he has been working and living in Johannesburg. In the late 80s and early 90s, he did a significant amount of work for the Market Theatre. At that time, some of the people he worked for were Malcom Purkey, Lucille Gillwald, Claire Stopford, Robyn Orlin, and Barney Simon.
While at PACT, the Civic Theatre, and Black Sun, he worked under directors such as Iise Van Hemert, Lourens Cilliers, and Gina Benjamin.
Between 1995 to 2002, he worked under William Kentridge in three Handspring Puppet Company productions. He also began making appearances at local theatre festivals.
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Minnaar’s work in TV and filming is phenomenal.
Theatre (local) (highlights)
Some major theatre productions and awards:
- The production MACBETH.SLAPELOOS (an Afrikaans adaptation of Shakespeare’s Macbeth, directed by Marthinus Basson) featured Minnaar. He won the Best Actor award for it.
- The play Mirakel also featured Minnaar; he was awarded the Kanna prize for “Best Interpretation” for this production.
- The play Die Moeder (directed by Christiaan Olwagen) with Minnaar and Sandra Prinsloo, was noted for its exploration of motherhood and mental‐health themes.
Overall, theatre remains central to his artistic identity as he said;
Teater is die kern van jou ambag…
Minnaar’s theatre work displays his range and commitment to live performance. Working under prominent directors and participating in influential productions (including ones with international tours) shows his stature in South African theatre.
Films
Here are some of the noteworthy films in which Dawid Minnaar appears:
Year | Film |
1988 | Fiela se Kind |
1991 | Nag van die 19de |
1993 | The Visual Bible: Matthew |
2007 | Ouma se Slim Kind |
2008 | Hansie: A True Story |
2012 | Die Wonderwerker |
2016 | Dis ek, Anna |
2018 | The Tokoloshe |
2020 | Poppie Nongena |
Soaps / Television
Here are major television/soap credits:
- 7de Laan (SABC2) - Minnaar played Leon de Lange (architect) from around 2000 to 2005.
- Binnelanders (M-Net/kykNET) - He took on the role of Dr Franz Basson beginning 2005.
- Amalia - He had a lead role in this series directed by Katinka Heyns.
- Torings (Towers) - Lead role as Dolf Groenewald.
- Legacy (telenovela) - More recent role: Willem Potgieter.
Television (especially soaps) gave Minnaar a strong public profile and sustained work over long periods. His move from major soaps to high‐profile roles and his continued presence into more recent productions show his enduring relevance in the industry.
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Dawid Minnaar's net worth
There is no reliable information about Dawid's net worth available to the public. He earns his income primarily through his long and successful career as an actor. His earnings come from acting in television dramas, soap operas, stage productions, and films.
What languages does Dawid Minnaar speak?
Dawid Minnaar is fluent in Afrikaans and English. These two languages are the primary mediums of his work in film, television, and theatre.
Facts about Dawid Minnaar
- He was born in Upington, Northern Cape, South Africa.
- He studied drama at the University of Stellenbosch.
- He began his acting career in 1981 with the South West African Performing Arts Council (SWAPAC) in Windhoek.
- He later joined CAPAB (Cape Performing Arts Board) before moving to Johannesburg in 1986.
- Minnaar worked at the Market Theatre Foundation, collaborating with renowned directors like Barney Simon.
- He is best known for his long-running role as Dr. Franz Basson in the popular South African soap Binnelanders.
- He starred as Eugène Marais in the acclaimed film Die Wonderwerker (2012).
- He appeared in the film Poppie Nongena (2020), which received critical praise.
Dawid Minnaar exemplifies a lifetime of dedication to his craft. His journey reflects resilience, consistency, and patience. His achievements stand as a testament to enduring passion and artistic excellence.
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