Marlene Dietrich Performed in Apartheid-Era Joburg

Why this is here: Toerien secured Dietrich’s performance after being turned down by her agent multiple times, eventually meeting her while she was making breakfast in Paris.

In 1965, Marlene Dietrich performed at the Civic Theatre in Johannesburg, South Africa, a city she reportedly loved. A friend shared this detail with a writer decades later, prompting a search for memories of her visit. Dietrich, a German star who left her home country as the Nazis rose to power, entertained Allied troops during World War II.

Joburg in 1965 was segregated under apartheid, with the new Civic Theatre intended for white audiences only. Despite this, 19-year-old Pieter Toerien successfully brought Dietrich to perform, seeing it as a career launch. She captivated audiences with her professionalism and attention to detail, memorizing 65 cues before singing a single note.

However, the visit remains complicated. Some questioned why she would perform in a segregated country, while others believe she was unaware of the full extent of apartheid’s injustices.

Dietrich was also secretly battling cervical cancer at the time, undergoing treatment while maintaining her glamorous stage presence. Toerien and Dietrich remained friends until her death in 1992, and he believes she ultimately prioritized preserving her image over public appearances.