Hendrik Andries Hanekom was born on 17 June 1893. He was the son of Hendrik Hanekom. Hanekom was educated at Beaufort West where he matriculated. He never received theatrical training in his youth. Hanekom was first employed as a municipal official in the town of his birth and was later promoted to assistant town clerk. He was also interested in theatre and in 1912 made his debut as an amateur actor in C.J. Langenhoven’s “Die wereld die draai” with the part of Meester van Helderbos. Hanekom married Matilda de Beer on 5 August 1918.
References
Potgieter, D.J.et al. (eds). (1971). Standard Encyclopaedia of Southern Africa, NASOU: Cape Town.v. 5, p. 422. |Beyers, C.J. et al.(eds).(1977).Dictionary of South African Biography, Butterworth:Durban.v3,p.372.