Lieb Bester


Lieb Bester was a South African actor and musician. He was best known for his role as Fritz Retief in kykNET's soap opera, Villa Rosa. For this role, he received an ATKV Media Veertjie for Best Actor in a Soap Opera in 2012 and 2013. Bester was also known for his role as senior superintendent George Lindeque in the TV thriller, Arsenaal, which was originally broadcast on SABC2.

Biography

Bester was born on 15 April 1949 in Brakpan and matriculated at Stofberg Boys' High School in 1967. After school, he did his nine months of compulsory military service in Walvis Bay. He made his debut in 1969 as an actor in the play, Die Ryk Weduwee van Uys Krige. His first feature film was Seun van die Wildtemmer in 1973.
Bester played various musical instruments, including the piano, organ, keyboard, accordion, concertina and guitar. He was part of the dance group Take 3, with Jan Coetzer and Deon Heyneke.

Military career

Beginning in 1978 Bester was a member of the South African Army and retired in 2001 with the rank of colonel. During his service, he worked at the following units:
  • Army Headquarters 1978–1980;
  • 7th Infantry Battalion 1981–1982;
  • Infantry School 1983–1986;
  • SWA Area Command Headquarters 1987–1989;
  • Command Natal Headquarters 1989–1990;
  • Western Province Command Headquarters 1991–1992;
  • South African Military Health Service Headquarters 1993–1995;
  • South African Military Health Service College 1996–1997;
  • Military Intelligence 1998–2001.

Death

Bester died on 21 July 2021, after being hospitalized for a second time due to COVID-19. He was 72 years old.

Filmography

Film

Stof Stander, as TV-newsreaderPanic Mechanic, as GysAgter Elke Man, as ReindersSavage Encounter, 1980Die Rebel, as German agent Liefste Madelein Hank, Hennery en Vriend, as HenneryJakkalsdraai se Mense Mirage Eskader, as Martin BekkerSes Soldate, as LieblingSkadu's van Gister, Seun van die Wildtemmer,

Television

Met 'n Huppel in Die Stap, as field provider Villa Rosa, as professor Fritz Retief Sterk Skemer as Balt OttoArsenaal, as senior superintendent George Lindeque Kriminele Meesterbrein, as field provider Ietermagô, as Bulla SonnekusJustice for All, as Dries AlbertsSoldier Soldier, as Lieutenant colonel Danie ReitzParadys, 1994OpdragTJ 7Phoenix en Kie
  • ''Dis Koud Hier''