Bosman, hailed as one of South Africa's greatest literary artists, was born in Kuils River in the Western Cape in 1905 and then spent most of his life living in Johannesburg. He was schooled at Jeppe High and Houghton College and then studied for a teaching diploma at Wits University and the Teachers Training College.

After graduating he was posted to Groot Marico in 1926. He only spent six months in the Marico. While at home in Isipingo Street, Bellevue East, Johannesburg, during the July school holidays, Bosman shot dead his half-brother David Russell in what was described by the press at the time as an act of passion, and by him as an accident. Bosman was sentenced to death by hanging. The sentence was later commuted to one of ten years hard labour, part of which he served at Pretoria Central Prison before being released on parole on the 15th of August 1930.

Bosman went on to live the life of an artist, writing poetry, numerous short stories, two novels, a play "Street Woman" and many essays and newspaper articles. At the time of his death in 1951 he was employed as a proof reader for The Sunday Express.

Many years after being released from prison, Bosman made a return journey to Groot Marico to visit his old school, only to find the building in ruins. It's intriguing that despite only having spent six months in Groot Marico, most of Bosman's short stories were set in this small conservative North Western town, and despite his life of struggle, including the time spent awaiting the hangman's noose, his stories are filled with so much humour, and when adapted for stage they prove to be highly entertaining.

A Teacher in the Bushveld is being presented by the same team that created the highly successful show "A Touch of Madness", which explored the life of Bosman as a creative genius from Johannesburg, and which was performed in theatres across the country from 1999, the last run being a season at the Market Theatre in July 2008.

Bosman academic and writer, Stephen Gray, described "A Touch of Madness" as "A touch of class... with David Butler delivering a performance of a lifetime". Maurice Podbrey, writing in the Cape Times, called it "Superb theatre... a brilliant examination of the life of Herman Charles Bosman." Jill de Villiers writing for The Citizen said, "This is true theatre. A Touch of Madness is an experience that will thrill the heart of anyone who is fascinated by the creative process, the artistic impulse, or that which sets the artist-shaman apart from the rest of humanity."

A Touch of Madness received six FNB Vita regional theatre award nominations 2000/2001 for best lighting design, set design, best lead actor, best script of a New South African play, best director and best production. Nicky Rebelo won the best director award.