Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1929-11-07
MINISTER'S WIFE
GIFTED V|OLIN|ST
Mrs. Eric Louw Has Made
Lifetime Study of Instru-
ment-AIso Plays Piano.
BY GRETCHEN SMITH.

With the arrival in Washington of
Mrs. Eric L0uw, wife of the newly an
pointed Minister from the South Afri-
can Union, the Diplomatic Corps has
again added gifted member to its
group Of talented women.
Mrs. Louw Is an accomplished mu-
stefan, playing both the piano and the
violin, although she assures you, that
the violin is the instrument to which
she has devoted most of her time.
II have really made a lifetime study
of the violin" she said. having started
my studies when / was seven years old.
It had been my intention to take I'D the
violin professionally. but married in
stead" she added with a smile. How
ever, am keeping up my music as
much as 1t is possible. and, although no
longer have the opportunity to practice
the six and eight hours of my student
days, l manage to continue PLAYING
both the violin and the piano"
Although Mrs. Louw modestly denied
that she also sings, it has been learned
from those who know" that she has a
remarkably sweet voice, playing her
own accomplishments on the piano.
sued in the Conservatory of Music of
GrahamStown, South Africa, where Mrs.
Louw tells you that she frequently gave
as much as six hours a day to her violin
practice. and two hours to the study OF
piano and harmony.
Violin Is Heirloom.
The violin which she has brought to
Washington is an heirloom, inherited
from musical ancestors.
Contrary to previous reports that the
wife of the Minister from the South
African Union was an EngliShwoman
by birth, Mrs. Louw tells you emphat-
ically that she is a real daughter of
Dutch South Africa. having been born
and brought up In the Eastern province,
and educated in South African cities.
Her first visit away from her native
land was not until four years ago, when
her husband was appointed as the flrst
South African representative TO this
country with headquarters in New York,
at which time she accompanied him
to that city, where they remained for
three years.
"At irst, was terribly homesick,"
reminisced Mrs. Louw, but soon
learned to love New York, enjoying IN
particular its concerts and It's music"
"You know" remarked the Minister'S
wife, 1T is quite curious the way the
average American. as we'll as European,
thinks of South Africa as land OF
lions, mines and "tom-tom" dances.
The fact is, the leading cities of the
South African Union, such as Cape
town, johannesburg, Port Elizabeth and
others. are quite as modern and up TO
date as the cities of America and
Europe. have known many Ameri-
cans, in particular, who said they felt
so much at home in Capetown. as 1t
reminded them so much of their homes.
Enumerates Modern System.
"For example" she added. 1.-The mod
ern dial system of telephone has been
in use in our cities for q long time.
Our public buildings and hotels in the
larger cities are very much ike those
in this country apd / do not know a
place in the world where one can travel
as comfortably and as REASONABLY as
is possible over the railroads OF South
Africa"
Speaking of the reasonable railroad
fares. Mrs. Louw was asked how living
in general throughout the South African
Union compared to that in this coun-
try. Her reply was: =
For the housewife, South Africa is
a paradise. Foodstuffs are plentiful
and reasonable--the domestic problem
Is unknown, and schools are as fine as
can be found throughout the entire
world. A young man may take up any
profession he wishes" she continued,
and complete Ills eHIlTe CoulSS Will
out leaving South Africa"
Although women are vitality inter-
ested in politics, the feminine world OF
South Africa has not yet obtained the
vote.
women work actively during politi-
cal campaigns" Mrs Louw explained,
assisting materially in the financing,
or urging their men acquaintance 10
vote for certain parties, but they do
note vote themselves.
There is a certain agitation carried
on in the Union now among women
who desire the vote and I shouldn't
be surprised II it arrived soon."
Two Languages Official.
The South African Union is a BIZ
lingual country and both English and
"Afrikaans," as the South African
Dutch is called, are official languages
and are taught in the schools. Mrs.
Louw, the minister and their two small
sons speak the two languages fluently.
Africans" is not so formal q
language as the Dutch of Holland" ex-
planned the minister's wife. Until very
recently, Holland Dutch was used
throughout South African churches,
but now the younger ministers are using
Africans. Work in translating the
Bible into Africans is now being un-
dertaken."
This is Mrs. Louw's first visit to
Washington.
II know I am going to be very happy
here and already feel at home" she