Bio
Dawid Minnaar is a South African actor best known for his role as architect Leon de Lange in the SABC2 soap opera 7de Laan, from 2000-2005.
He is also known for his role as Dr Franz Basson in the M-Net/kykNET soapie Binneland (formerly known as Binnelanders and Binneland Sub Judice), since 2005.
Minnaar was born in Upington in the Northern Cape, but grew up on a karakul farm in the south-western region of Namibia, near the tiny hamlet of Helmeringhausen in the Bethanie district.
Bethanie is also the town where he went to primary school, but his high school education he received at Paarl Boys High.
After his one year compulsory military service he went on to study drama at the universities of Stellenbosch and Cape Town.
He started his professional acting career in 1981 when he joined the then South West African Performing Arts Council (SWAPAC).
From 1982 to 1985 he lived and worked in Cape Town, freelancing and also spending two years with CAPAB.
Dawid has been living and working in Johannesburg since 1986. During the late 80s and early 90s he did a lot of work for the Market Theatre under the direction of people like Lucille Gillwald, Barney Simon, Claire Stopford, Malcolm Purkey and Robyn Orlin.
Other directors he worked under for the Black Sun, PACT and the Civic Theatre include Gina Benjamin, Lourens Cilliers and Ilse van Hemert.
From 1995 to 2002 he was involved in three Handspring Puppet Company productions (under the direction of William Kentridge) which toured extensively internationally.
Dawid has also appeared numerous times at local theatre festivals, mostly under the direction of Marthinus Basson.
His work in film and television includes productions like Die Sondaar, Uitdraai, A Soldier's Tale, Konings, Torings, Fiela se Kind, Nag van die 19de, 7de Laan, Amalia and Binnelanders.