South African poet and graphic designer Wopko Jensma was born in Middelburg, Eastern Province. Highly talented but suffering from schizophrenia, he studied at various tertiary institutions and majored in sculpture at the University of Pretoria. After having lived in Mozambique, Botswana and Swaziland for some time, Jensma returned to South Africa where he disappeared in 1993 without a trace from a Salvation Army Men's Home, a shelter that accommodates homeless people.
eventREF E-0011600Revised
26 July 1939
SA poet and artist Wopko Jensma is born
- Updated
- 26 Jul 2025
How we know this
- 01Sack, S. (1988). The Neglected Tradition, Johannesburg: Johannesburg Art Gallery. http://www.chico.mweb.co.za/art/the_rest/0003/000313-jensma.html http://translate.google.com/
Last updated · 26 Jul 2025
South African History Online. (2011, March 16). SA poet and artist Wopko Jensma is born. South African History Online. https://sahistory.org.za/ref/E-0011600
South African History Online (2011) 'SA poet and artist Wopko Jensma is born', South African History Online, 16 March. Available at: https://sahistory.org.za/ref/E-0011600 (Accessed: 4 November 2026).
South African History Online, SA poet and artist Wopko Jensma is born [website], https://sahistory.org.za/ref/E-0011600, (accessed 4 November 2026).
"SA poet and artist Wopko Jensma is born." South African History Online, 16 Mar. 2011, https://sahistory.org.za/ref/E-0011600. Accessed 4 Nov. 2026.
South African History Online. "SA poet and artist Wopko Jensma is born." South African History Online. March 16, 2011. https://sahistory.org.za/ref/E-0011600.
Also on 26 July
- 1649Leendert Janszen, junior merchant of the VOC, recommends settlement at the Cape
- 1649Janszen and Proot recommend settlement at the Cape in ‘Remonstrantie’
- 1813Isaac Baumann, Bloemfontein pioneer and trader, is born in Germany
- 1847Liberia is established
- 1963The British High Commissioner for Basutoland, Bechuanaland and Swaziland issues the Prevention of Violence Abroad Proclamation
- 1977Committee of Ten wants election of a new community board
- 1996Bantu Holomisa is dismissed
- 2004Sipho Gumede, South African jazz legend, dies
Search events by date
This day in history
What happened on your birthday?
SAHO is free because readers fund it. Donate →