Thelma Gutsche, a South African scholar, historian and film critic, dies

Thelma Gutsche a South African scholar, historian and film critic dies in the Cape. Thelma Gutsche was born to Dr and Mrs J Gutsche in Somerset West in the Cape Province in 1915. She did not attend formal schooling but was privately tutored at home and matriculated at the age of 14. Two years after her matriculation she enrolled at the University of Cape Town to study for a B.A. in Ethics, Logic, Philosophy and Psychology. She then proceeded to complete her MA in Ethics, Logic and Metaphysics. After completing her studies she relocated to Johannesburg where she took up employment with the "The Forum" (a weekly newspaper) writing film reviews from 1938 to 1939. She also wrote a series of articles on the South African film industry for the Cape Times between 1937 and 1950. While she was in Johannesburg, Gutsche enrolled for a Doctoral Degree in Social History at the University of Cape Town which she completed in 1946. Her doctoral thesis on The History and Social Significance of Motion Pictures in South Africa 1895 - 1940 reflected her love for the film industry. During the Second World War Gutsche was hired as a film adviser to the South African government, writing scripts for documentaries and directing films. After the war she continued to work in the film industry and produced a number of educational films. Gutsche was involved in number of organisations and was a founder or co-founder of others. In March 1956, she was a member of the Africana Museum Advisory Committee. She also served as a Founding member and Trustee of the Association of Friends of the Johannesburg Art Gallery. From 1968 to 1981 she served on the Consultative Committee of the Bensusan Museum of Photography. Gutshce was also the founding member of the Simon van der Stel Foundation, a non-profit organisation that sought to conserve and restore buildings of historical and architectural importance. She was an active member of the National Council of Women in South Africa and served as its president. Furthermore, Gutsche published a number of books on various subjects. After her retirement, Gutsche returned to the Cape village of Montagu from the Transvaal and spent her last years in the Cape village of Montagu. Gutsche died of emphysema on 5 November 1984 at the age of 69.