Koos du Plessis
Illustration — Koos du Plessis Jacobus (Koos) Johannes du Plessis (10 May 1945 – 15 January 1984) was a prominent South African singer-songwriter and poet, colloquially known as Koos Doep. Although he received critical acclaim for much of his work, he became best known for the runaway success of a rendition of his song "Kinders van die Wind" ("Children of the Wind") by Laurika Rauch. Koos du Plessis was born in Rustenburg.
Also recorded as Koos Doep
Koos du Plessis

Unknown. Copyright holder is Irma du Plessis. · Irma du Plessis from · CC BY-SA 3.0
- Full name
- Jacobus Johannes du Plessis.
- Born
- 1945 · Rustenburg.
- Died
- 1984 · Krugersdorp.
- Nationality
- South Africa
- Occupation
- poet · singer · writer · songwriter
- Education
- University of the Witwatersrand · University of Pretoria
- Languages
- English
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Documentary summary
Illustration — Koos du Plessis Jacobus (Koos) Johannes du Plessis (10 May 1945 – 15 January 1984) was a prominent South African singer-songwriter and poet, colloquially known as Koos Doep. Although he received critical acclaim for much of his work, he became best known for the runaway success of a rendition of his song "Kinders van die Wind" ("Children of the Wind") by Laurika Rauch. Koos du Plessis was born in Rustenburg.
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wikidata · Q561270 · wikipedia · Koos du Plessis
In this article
Identity
Identity
Koos du Plessis is recorded with the occupation singer. Recorded at birth as Jacobus Johannes du Plessis. Recorded as poet, singer, writer and songwriter. Identity and origins. The authorities additionally record the heading Koos Doep. His recorded language was English.
Life and career
Dated record
Life and career
Explore 1945–1985
The full dated record · 3 entries
1945
Koos du Plessis was born on 10 May 1945.
1984
Koos du Plessis died on 15 January 1984.
1985
Om jou verlaas te groet is dated 1985.
Places
Named by the record
Places
Only places the record itself states, plotted where the house gazetteer settles their coordinates. Nothing is inferred from a name or a nationality.
Rustenburg.
Birth place
Krugersdorp.
Death place
Published works
• Erfdeel (2004) • Om jou verlaas te groet: nagelate verse (1985) • Skink nog ʾn uur in my awe JD jy dink mos ek lieg: nagelate verse (1995)
Legacy in Afrikaans
He was the oldest of 5 children, and grew up in the mining town of Springs. After school, he attended the University of Pretoria, and the University of the Witwatersrand, majoring in Afrikaans-Nederlands (Afrikaans-Dutch). At university he met his future wife, Mornay. The couple had three daughters, Irma, Karien and Karla. Koos would eventually write a song for each of these four women in his life. Koos worked as journalist and editor for several Afrikaans publications (Oggendblad, Die Vaderland, Die Nataller and Die Transvaler). He died in a motorcar accident close to Krugersdorp during the early morning hours of 15 January 1984.
In 2010, two Koos du Plessis tribute albums were released in The Netherlands posthumously. First was Ofschaaid Zunder Woorden, an album with songs of Du Plessis sung in Grunnegs by Wia Buze and Klaas Spekken. Karla du Plessis joined for a special duet on this album. Second was Die Land Van Blou Saffiere(The Land of Blue Sapphires), released in the Tussen Kontinente-series. This release was a hardcover book that included a biography, lyrics with footnotes and explanations and a CD with 20 of his songs. He wrote two religious songs: Gebed (Prayer: Let me never leave this ground, let me in thy shadow stay...) and a carol Somerkersfees (Summer Christmas). The latter was incorporated into the hymnals of several Afrikaans churches.
Discography
• Ofschaaid Zunder Woorden (2010) • Die Land van Blou Saffiere (2010) • "Die Vierde Horison" (2004) Trio Records INH CD 009 • "Skadu's Teen Die Muur..." (1979) Trio Records INHCD 005
Primary material
Documents and archives
reference work
- Wikidata, structured authority record Q561270: Koos du Plessis
Reputable secondary · Wikidata
- “Koos du Plessis”, English Wikipedia, consulted as further reading
Reputable secondary · Wikipedia
authority file
- VIAF cluster 50751316 for Koos du Plessis, aggregating national library name authorities.
General reference · OCLC
Notes from the source article
Cited by Wikipedia
Notes from the source article
These works are cited by the source article, in its own numbering. They are recorded as its citations, not as sources VALÉORINE has verified.
- 1.Koos Du Plessis age, biography. Last.fm.
- 2.Obituary.
- 3.Johannes Comestor. LitNet Argief. argief.litnet.co.za. 8 juin 2010.
- 4.Andries Bezuidenhout. LitNet: Roof op die noot af. oulitnet.co.za.
- 5.En tog, die deuntjie draal . . . Netwerk24.
- 6.T. T. Cloete. Koos du Plessis. Tydskrif vir geesteswetenskappe. 22. juin 1982. 2224-7912.
- 7.T. T. Kloete. Koos du Plessis. Tydskrif vir Letterkunde. 20. août 1982.
- 8.O. Maas. Koos du Plessis. Der Burger. 30 août 1985.
- 9.Grootste Afrikaanse Liedjie van Alle Tye: Kinders van die Wind. Maroela Media. 2013-10-26.
- 10.Grootste Afrikaanse Liedjie van Alle Tye: Kinders van die Wind. Maroela Media. 2013-10-26.
References
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Secondary witnessreference work
Secondary witnessreference work
Secondary witness
The Encyclopedia exists whether or not anything is for sale. Corrections are recorded rather than overwritten, and every version of this record is kept. Published 16 August 2026.
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