Niel van der Watt, SA composer is born

Born Gerhardus Daniel van der Watt in Pretoria, Niel van der Walt is a composer well known for his choral compositions. He comes from a family of teachers. He obtained his high School education in Pietersburg (now Polokwane). For his tertiary education, he returned to Pretoria where he obtained BA Ed (Mus), BMus (Hons) cum laude and an MMus in Composition at the university of Pretoria. Van der Watt joined the prominent school, Pretoria Boys High as an English teacher. He is now head of the music department at the school. He is also conductor of both the orchestra and Dixie Band. His compositions and arrangements have been performed internationally in places such as Russia, Hong Kong and Reunion. In 2011, a concert was held in Sunnyside Pretoria to honour his work.