TELEVISION
THE SA HERITAGE EDITION
‘TURNING BACK’
THE CLOCK ON TV
Issue 3 | September 2020
IOL
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VINOLIA MASHEGO The former Jam Alley presenter passed away at 57 in April 2020. The ‘90s television star is best remembered for her gregarious personality on the SABC1 game show, from 1994 until 2001. One of her classic phrases from the show was: “Sorry Bafethu, Sorreee!” This was to console contestants who got the answers wrong. And it worked!
CONTACT US
PUBLISHER | Vasantha Angamuthu vasantha@africannewsagency.com EDITOR | Debashine Thangevelo debashiine.thangevelo@inl.co.za
EXECUTIVE LIFESTYLE EDITOR | Nelandri Narianan nelandri.narianan@inl.co.za PRODUCTION | Renata Ford renata.ford@inl.co.za DESIGN | Mallory Munien mallory.munien@inl.co.za
BUSINESS DEVELOPMENT | Keshni Odayan keshni.odayan@inl.co.za
SALES Charl Reineke | charl@africannewsagency.com Kyle Villet | kyle.villet@africannewsagency.com
GENERAL ENQUIRIES | info@anapublishing.com
Dali Tambo
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FROM THE EDITOR
Inside...
TV STARS
HISTORY OF TV
ICONIC PRESENTERS
LEGENDARY ANCHOR
LOCAL SOAP STARS
KIDDIES FLASHBACK
ICONIC TV DRAMAS
UNWINDING THE PAST
FIRST LADY OF TALK
AS IT’S Heritage Month, we decided to turn back the clock and look at the history of television in South Africa. Believe it or not, it was introduced in 1976. As part of the Xennials generation, it is a time I recall well. Giving away my age here. The bubbling excitement of owning a TV box set was a big deal. If you owned one in the neighbourhood, you were deemed well-heeled. And neighbourhood kids would generally gather at one person’s home to catch their favourite show, before heading back to their own. Back then, a family member, usually the youngest one, was the remote control. I know that Generation Z will probably be laughing their heads off at that mental image. I have to admit, I had fun working on this issue. Especially, when it came to brainstorming with colleagues and friends and reflecting on the shows that formed an integral part of our childhood and teenage years. Although there were many international shows that we loved, we wanted to keep this a proudly local edition. And, to be honest, we had such great dramas, comedies, game shows, music shows, current affairs programming and kiddie content, that we could have done several editions. But we focused on the trending and pioneering offerings, especially during the ‘80s and ‘90s. Although the respective TV channel archives were not particularly helpful during this Covid19 lockdown, Google and the trusted memories of many came to the rescue. I hope you enjoy this edition as we visit the glory days of TV in our beautiful country, where cultural diversity manifested in unforgettable shows. And if you have a “Where are they now?” or “Oh, I remember that!” moment while going through this magazine, you are not alone. Happy reading!
Debashine
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S TA RS THAT ROCKED T V
Back in the ‘80s and ‘90s, there was no such thing as influencers. But we did have stars who ruled the small screen. For this issue, we take readers down memory lane... DEBASHINE THANGEVELO
Gavin Hood
Joe Mafela
BEFORE the internet and social media, landing that big break and becoming a TV star was a big deal. The stories of these celebrities were wonderfully captured and celebrated in newspapers and on the radio. This generation of talent took their craft very seriously. It was underpinned by consuming passion. They understood, better than anyone, the journey mandated a lot of hard work. There were no shortcuts to fame. That’s what makes the ‘80s and ‘90s such glorious eras for the South African TV landscape. Over the years, the blueprint evolved with technology. Although we now enjoy the luxury of options on streaming and traditional platforms, it wouldn’t have been possible without the hard work and humble beginnings of many. We celebrate some of them.
STEVE HOFMEYR
While he was establishing himself as a singer, Hofmeyr was a popular face on SABC. He bagged roles in Agter Elke Man, a local drama, where he was cast as Bruce Beyers. He later became a regular on the cast of M-Net’s Egoli.
HENRY CELE
In 1986, Shaka Zulu aired on TV. The 10-part series was directed by William C. Faure and written by author Joshua Sinclair. It was one of the biggest TV shows of its time. And, in agreeing to play the role of great Zulu warrior, King Shaka kaSenzangakhona, Cele cemented his career and remained an icon for viewers. Sadly, he passed away on November 2, 2007.
Henry Cele Nimrod Nkosi
Frank Opperman Steve Hofmeyr
GAVIN HOOD
He may be a Hollywood heavyweight these days but in 1993, he was a young actor cast in The Game, a 13-part series. Honestly, I remember tuning in every week to watch it but, for the life of me, I can’t remember the premise other than it involved the game of rugby. He played Charlie Bates. The show also starred Zane Meas, Mark Mulder and Ashley Hayden.
JOE MAFELA
When it came to comedy in SA, the late Mafela was the go-to guy. And he killed it. Whether it in the Zulu-language comedy, ‘Sgudi ‘Snaysi, or Going Up, he was a hoot. And, let’s be honest, can you really look at a Chicken Licken ad without him and his larger-than-life personality coming to mind? Back then, he was fondly referred to as the Bill Cosby of SA television.
NIMROD NKOSI
He was the yin to Vinolia Mashego’s yang on Jam Alley. This was the show for the youth in South Africa. And Nkosi was celebrated as one of the coolest (that word was hip back then, don’t judge) presenter in town. He also proved himself a great actor in the Zulu drama, Ubambo Lwami, in 1994.
FRANK OPPERMAN
This well-known South African actor was a riot in Orkney Snork Nie, which was a popular Afrikaans comedy, which aired from 1989 to 1992.
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Isidingo: The Need as Lorraine Dhlomo. When it came to getting her hustle on, Jaxa was in her element. The characters she played saw jaws drop and she was unapologetic about it. Talk about a livewire personality.
SEPUTLA SEBOGODI
Although he started out in local Pedi drama Bophelo Ke Semphekgo, playing the role of Nkwesheng, who had a roving eye, it was the hit sitcom, Suburban Bliss, where he shot to fame. This show got the entire country laughing over the daily misunderstandings and frustrations between the Dwyer’s, a white family, and the Moloi’s. Sebogodi was the patriarch in the black family. This show was big.
Seputla Sebogodi
STRINI PILLAI
He was one of the first Indian actors to feature on a soap. He played the devilishly handsome Deven Maistry on Generations. Thahira Syed played his wife, Shaan. They were such a cute couple.
JOHAN STEMMET
Stemmet is synonymous with Noot vir Noot on SABC. He hosted the popular Afrikaans game show from 1991 until 2018. In the ‘80s, he presented a variety of music shows. He also presented A Word Or 2, which ran on SABC2 for nine years, as well as Wise Up, on the same channel.
Strini Pillai
MARY TWALA
A tour de force in theatre and film, the late Twala started making inroads in the growing TV industry. She bagged roles in Die Sonkring II (1993) and Inkom’ Edla Yodwa (1989). Of course, as the years wore on, she was cast in some of the biggest homegrown shows.
TINA JAXA
She was one of the standouts in the soap world. She started out in SABC1’s Generations as Priscilla Mthembu before joining SABC3’s
Mary Twala
Johan Stemmet
SELLO MAAKE KA-NCUBE
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I can still picture his disarming smile as Archie Moroka on SABC1’s Generations. Back then, he had short hair and later dreadlocks. In fact, he was rather dashing and a sex symbol in SA. His rich baritone voice made him even more unforgettable. Aside from doing an unusually high number of movies, he also appeared in Homeland as Vusi (1996) and Hearts & Minds as Pietrus (1995).
SHALEEN SURTIE-RICHARDS
Selo Maake Ka-Ncube
She is best remembered for her role as Ester (Nenna) Willemse on M-Net’s Egoli: Place of Gold. In fact, she is one of the few actors who were with SA’s first soapie, the longest. She was that aunty, everyone could identify with. She was a no-nonsense person. If anyone stepped out, she was quick to bring them back in line. And she enjoyed the regular banter, where she caught up on the latest gossip. Viewers loved her.
PAMELA NOMVETE
Shaleen Surtie- Richards
As I write this, I’m having a flashback to Nomvete as Ntsiki Lukhele on SABC1’s Generations. Back then she was celebrated as the “super-b***h” of the small screen. I can still remember those crazy eyes and teeth grinding when she was enraged. It felt as if her head was about to explode and that’s when
you know s**t just got real.
MARAH LOUW
The singer and actress stole the limelight as Catherine Mukwevho on SABC2’s Muvhango. She was a powerhouse character along with the late Candy Moloi, who played VhoMakhadzi.
LILIAN DUBE
Who could forget Dube as Sister Bettina in the hit drama, Soul City? She was such a remarkable actress. She slipped into the skin of her character with complete ease. The gripping series was set in a fictional township, where social, health and development issues were tackled. It represented the struggles of SA’s poverty-stricken communities. Viewers will also remember her as Masebobe in Generations, too.
BRÜMILDA VAN RENSBURG
The award-winning actress graced the covers of many magazines. While fans remember her as Louwna Edwards on Egoli: Place of Gold, she was in a few Afrikaans shows, too. She was in Ballade vir ‘n Enkeling II (1993) and Die Binnekring (1990).
CONNIE FERGUSON
The darling of the soapie world. That was Ferguson for you. While she is a powerhouse producer these days, back then she stole the hearts
Marah Louw
Pamela Nomvete
Lilian Dube
of South Africans as Karabo Moroka on Generations. When it came to being a role model, she was exactly that for female viewers. She stood her ground as Karabo in what was arguably a male-dominated world.
SOPHIE NDABA
She now goes by the name of Sophie Lichaba, but this veteran actress will forever remain Queen Moroka in the hearts and minds of fans of Generations. Her loquacious, not forgetting meddlesome personality, was more endearing than annoying. She spoke her mind and was always camera ready.
MICHELLE BOTES
This inimitable South African actress was celebrated as the ultimate female villain on SABC3’s Isidingo: The Need. She stole the show as Cherel de Villiers. Nothing got in her way. She had plenty of blood on her hands but her conscience justified her actions. In the early 80s, she was also in popular Afrikaans series like Liewe Hemel, Minnaar Onder die Wapen and Triptiek. These days, she holds her
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own on Binnelanders.
MARTIN BAILIE
He hosted Telly Fun Quiz, a popular game show back in the 90s. The spectacle-wearing presenter had a very calm demeanour as he went through his list of questions. Whichever team hit the buzzer and answered correctly got to choose a telly, which contained their prize for that round. Eddie Eckstein was part of the cast including a gorgeous female, whose name escapes me.
RUDA LANDMAN
She fearlessly co-anchored Carte Blanche with Derek Watts when it started airing on M-Net in 1988. It was and still is, one of the leading investigative current affairs shows. She left in 2007.
Martin Bailie
Sophie Ndaba
BrĂźmilda Van Rensburg
Michelle Botes
Connie Ferguson
Ruda Landman
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Revisiting the history of television Before viewers were spoilt for choice, the TV landscape only boasted a handful of channels COMPILED BY KEDIBONE MODISE
BELIEVE it not, television has been in South African for just over 40 years. TV was introduced in 1971 in spite of the government’s hostility towards what they referred to as “the little black box”. Initially, the proposal was for
two channels, one in English and in Afrikaans, aimed at a white audience. The second channel, TV Bantu, was aimed at black viewers. However, when it was finally introduced, there was only one main channel, dubbed TV 1, with airtime
divided evenly between English and Afrikaans. In 1976, the first official broadcast aired. In 1982, two services were introduced, TV2 broadcasting in Zulu and Xhosa and TV3 broadcasting in Sotho and Tswana,
9 aimed at a black urban audience. In 1985, TV4 was introduced, carrying sports and entertainment programming, using the channel shared by TV2 and TV3, which ended transmissions at 9.30pm. In 1986, the SABC’s monopoly was challenged by the launch of a subscription-based service known as M-Net. However, as part of its licensing restrictions, the channel could not broadcast news programmes. It started broadcasting a current affairs programme called Carte
Blanche in 1988. In 1992, TV2, TV3 and TV4 were combined into CCV (Contemporary Community Values). A third channel was introduced known as TSS, or Topsport Surplus, Topsport being the brand name for the SABC’s sports coverage, but this was replaced by NNTV (National Network TV), an educational, noncommercial channel, in 1994. In 1984, Bop TV, run by the former Republic of Bophuthatswana in South Africa, was established. The station primarily transmitted
imported programming, mostly from the US. In 1998, e.tv, the first and only privately-owned free-to-air television station in South Africa, launched. It is the fifth terrestrial television channel in the country, following three channels that are operated by the SABC and M-Net. Satellite television expanded when M-Net’s sister company, MultiChoice, launched its digital satellite TV service (DStv) in 1995. | SABC ARCHIVES
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Robert Marawa
Vuyo Mbuli
A TV presenters who ruled the roost in the ‘90s The ‘90s boom of TV presenters has made them the most famous personalities in the country, with people like Sandy Ngema, the late Vuyo Mbuli, Ashley Hayden becoming household names and almost part of the family with many, writes BUHLE MBONAMBI
S MUCH as we love our actors and musicians, there’s something about TV presenters that gets us all excited. If you asked a number of people what they would be doing if they were in the entertainment industry, they will likely say “TV presenter.” Being a presenter means you can’t hide behind a character, like an actor does. You have to be likeable and make us feel like you are our friend. And that’s what the TV channels got right in the ‘90s when the continuity presenters ruled the roost on TV. Some of the continuity presenters from SABC1, SABC2, SABC3, and M-Net have stayed on our radar, and have managed to keep their fame and jobs in the industry. Others have fallen off, but since their impact was so great, we have to also pay tribute to them. GERRY ELSDON Elsdon was one of the most recognisable faces in the ‘90s, thanks to being a continuity presenter on SABC3, and later on, M-Net. But did you know that she has a background in politics? She worked for the ANC in the early ‘90s and was in the committee that helped the party’s entry into governing. She moved to hosting other shows, including Big Brother South Africa, being a TV producer, became a magazine editor and an in-demand MC. CLAIRE MAWISA When we talk about a multihyphenate, Mawisa is one of them. A model-turned-broadcaster, Mawisa has been able to stay on top of the TV game for more than two decades. She
was one of the most-loved SABC1 continuity presenters. She also was a top model, and was the first black woman to be on the cover of Cosmopolitan in August 1994 as a 14-year-old. She’s currently a field reporter for Carte Blanche on M-Net. VUYO MBULI It’s been seven years since the broadcaster passed on, but he is still remembered as a legend of the broadcast media industry. Do you remember that Mbuli was a SABC 3 continuity presenter? This was before co-hosting SABC 2’s Morning Live with Tracy Going and then LeAnn Manas? The broadcaster was respected for his relaxed demeanour, and his style of presenting became the standard for many who wanted to become broadcasters and anchors.
ROBERT MARAWA
Before he became the authority on sports anchoring, Marawa was a SABC 1 continuity presenter. He was one of the originals and featured heavily in those promotional videos the presenters used to do. He went on to host Laduma on SABC 1 and was one of the anchors of the 1998 Fifa World Cup coverage on SABC 1. After moving to SuperSport, and having his late night sports show there, he is now producing his own online sports show, while hosting a simulcast sports show on Metro FM and Radio 2000. ASHLEY HAYDEN Imagine my surprise at seeing Ashley Hayden rock the dance floor
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on Strictly Come Dancing in 2008. I had forgotten all about the former M-Net continuity presenter. The actress and presenter left the industry to raise her children. She has since featured in a number of comedies and dramas and is also an in-demand MC. SANDY NGEMA The picture of elegance, Ngema was a favourite of many people. The former SABC3 presenter, now known as Ngema Ehrenreich, took her tenure on the channel and built an enviable career as an in-demand MC. She returned to mainstream TV when she co-hosted five seasons of Strictly Come Dancing with Ian Von Memerty.
Graeme Richards
DICKSY NQGULA Even though he hit the headlines for the wrong reasons after his stint as a boxing promoter hit the skids, Nqgula was still one of the most popular SABC1 continuity presenters. He, like Marawa, didn’t stay for a long before being a Blow by Blow presenter on SABC 1 covering the boxing fraternity.
ZANDI NHLAPHO It’s very rare to see Bonang Matheba fanning out over someone, but she did when she met Zandi at Somizi Mhlongo’s wedding last year. From forgoing the industry standard to choosing to rock her bald head, she became a beauty icon for many.
CAMILLA WALKER So we all remember Camilla Walker, right? She was the blonde SABC1 presenter who spoke Nguni languages, especially IsiZulu and Xhosa. Is it me, or was it weird seeing a white person speaking my language? I liked that she tried and that people felt like they could relate better with her, which, arguably, made her one of the most popular continuity presenters on the channel.
GRAEME RICHARDS Even before his days as a continuity presenter on SABC1 and later, SABC3, Richards was already a TV star, thanks to hosting a number of sports shows on SABC3. He hit the big time on SABC1 and became one of the leading presenters, thanks to his charm and good looks. He has gone on to be an anchor on e.tv’s Sunrise and on SABC 3’s Expresso.
Sandy Ngema
Ashley Hayden
Zandi Nlapho
Mariette Kruger and Riaan Cruywagen
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No Afrikaans news bulletin was complete without hearing it from Riaan Cruywagen South Africa’s legendary news anchor started garnering attention when he made appearances on television screens in the 1970s. Apart from working as a newsreader, he also did well as a voice-over artist and became highly respected for the children’s shows that he voiced, writes DEBASHINE THANGEVELO
L
OOKING at the history of TV in SA, Riaan Cruywagen was a big part of it. The Afrikaans newsreader joined the SABC since its first television broadcast and was a regular face for the news bulletin on weeknights. His final broadcast was on November 26, 2012, on SABC. When I got in touch with Cruywagen to chat about his newsreader days, he happily obliged. He recalled: “I started broadcasting on radio as a student at Stellenbosch University in 1965. The terms and conditions of my SABC bursary included an obligation to broadcast from the Cape Town studios over weekends and during varsity holidays. This included reading the regional news on the Afrikaans radio service (the predecessor of RSG), doing continuity shifts on Radio Good Hope, and acting in radio dramas and serials on the commercial service, Springbok Radio. So, I have been reading the news now for 55 years.” It doesn’t matter how old you are, chances are you will either know of or have seen Cruywagen on the small screen. Cruywagen added: “News reporting and presentation was much more formal than today. Proper, good and correct language usage was non-negotiable and fake news hardly existed. In the previous political dispensation, news reporting was often somewhat of a minefield, particularly whenever the government declared a state of emergency. Any form of censorship is, of course, always extremely frustrating to journalists who are intent on reporting accurately and comprehensively. Whatever the prevailing conditions were, as a newsreader I always did my utmost to remain impartial, credible, independent and professional. Consequently, I survived many a change of management at the SABC. I think the public realised that there was no sense in shooting the messenger if they didn’t like the message!” Did you start on TV1 before moving to SABC2? “Yes, after ten years as a radio announcer I was head-hunted to join the newly founded SABC television service in 1975, where I presented
my first TV newscast during the test transmissions on November 26, 1975, on TV1. That means that this year (2020) I celebrate 45 continuous years on television,” he noted. As for some of the biggest stories that he covered in the ‘80s and ‘90s, he responded: “Oh, there were so many! Some of the most important include the worst crash thus far in aviation history when two Boeing 747 jumbo jets collided on the runway of the island of Tenerife in 1977; the speech by President FW de Klerk on February 2, 1990, in which he announced dramatic reforms that marked the beginning of the transition from apartheid to a constitutional democracy, including the release of political prisoners such as Nelson Mandela; the hearings of the Truth and Reconciliation Commission which was set up by the Government of National Unity in 1995 to help deal with what had happened during apartheid; the co-ordinated terrorist attacks with four hijacked aircraft by al-Qaeda in the United States on September 11, 2001; and the massive Indian Ocean earthquake and tsunami off the west coast of Indonesia on 26th December 2004, to name but a few.” Looking back at how the landscape changed after 1994, he said: “From a journalistic point of view, news has become endlessly more immediate and directly accessible as it unfolds, and reporting much more comprehensive and unrestricted. Presentation is far more relaxed and informal than in the past – sometimes to the detriment of good language, regrettably.” Although his journey on SABC has ended, he continued as a newsreader on kykNET’s Verslag until 2018. The septuagenarian is still on the small screen, he is the host of kykNET’s Met ‘n Huppel in die Stap, which airs on DStv channel 144 on a Wednesday at 5.30pm. These days, he prefers the more relaxed side of being in front of the camera!
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Isidngo: the Need
Muvhango
Egoli: Place
20 years later, the memories bubble up In the early ‘90s, the intrigues of Egoli: Place of Gold, Generations, Muvhango and Isidingo: the Need, kept us glued to the small screen DEBASHINE THANGEVELO
Egoli: Place of Gold
THIS was South Africa’s first soap opera. It aired on M-Net on weekdays for 19 seasons. Created by Franz Marx, it featured legendary actors Shaleen Surtie-Richards (Ester aka Nenna Willemse), Brümilda van Rensburg (Lowna Edwards), David Vlok (Nick Naude), Tiffany Kelly (Sonet Vorster), Christine Basoon (Nora Roelofse Naude), Eckard Rabe (Chris Edwards), Steve Hofmeyr (Doug Durand), Anrich Herbst (Dewald Vorster), Thoko Ntshinga (Donna
Makaula) and Kevin Smith (Andrew Willemse). Heck, even Joan Collins, Samantha Fox, Jerry Springer and Helmut Lotti ended up making guest appearances. The bilingual (English and Afrikaans) daily soapie was set in a small community. There was deception, love, betrayal, corruption, kidnapping, nosy parker neighbours and so forth. It offered a slice of SA life, showcasing some of the diversity in the country through its story arcs.
Generations
The brainchild of the Mfundi Vundla, this was set against in advertising sector. It made its debut on SABC1 in 1993. Not only did it celebrate black excellence, it encouraged it. It centred on New Horizons, a media enterprise founded by influential Moroka clan. As with any powerful family, there is dissension in the ranks. And Karabo Moroka (played by Connie Ferguson) and her brother Archie Moroka (Sello Maake Ka-Ncube) felt the heat constantly.
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Generations
e of Gold
The strains of patriarchy were also felt by the lead female characters. This soapie gave us some of the most iconic female villains, like Pamela Nomvete as Ntsiki Lukhele: power-hungry, artful and deadly. Who could forget Queen Moroka (Sophie Ndaba)? Darling, she was everyone’s favourite, the biggest blabbermouth, loud and in your face. South Africans couldn’t get enough of the drama, deception, forbidden romances, secrets and power struggles. This is also where Rapulana Seiphemo left an indelible impression as Tau Mogale and Cedwyn Joel as our favourite barman, Sonny Jacobs. That it is still airing, albeit as Generations: The Legacy, where the world and the characters have evolved, attests to its success.
Muvhango
As the two other soaps were getting a thumbs-up from viewers, Duma Ndlovu arrived with SA’s first Venda offering. Muvhango first aired on SABC2 on April 7, 1997. Ndlovu’s intention was to bridge the cultural and linguistic divide,
and he struck gold. The show explored familyorientated narratives while also exploring the challenges as the modern world threatened to breach their traditional way of life. The soapie was divided between the corporate world and rural Venda. Within the divisions, the Vhakwevhos took care of the traditional side of things while those in the city dealt with the challenges of living and working in the urban jungle. Muvhango was built around family feuds, rivalry, treachery, forbidden love and corporate sabotage. Some of the best-known faces in the industry started their careers here, including Khanyi Mbau. Marah Louw, the late Candy Moloi, Florence Masebe, Rami Chuene, Sindi Dlathu and Mutodi Neshehe were also unforgettable. The longest-serving cast members are Gabriel Temudzani as Chief Azwindini Mukwevho and Dingaan Khumalo as businessman James Motsamai.
Isidingo: the Need
When it launched on SABC3 in July 1998, it was celebrated for being
one of the most pioneering soapies on air. Created by Gray Hofmeyr, it was set in the mining world at Horizon Deep. The story drew parallels between the affluent Haines family and the humble Matabanes. When it started, the De Villiers were was a tour de force before the arrival of the Haines clan. It used to air at 7pm on weekdays. When it came to pushing the envelope, this soap did it all. It was a first in many ways when it came to addressing pertinent issues from interracial relationships to racism, HIV, homosexuality, even witchcraft and polygamy. It gave us the greatest of the great with Meshack Mavuso as mine manager Vusi Moletsane, the late Lesego Motsepe, who played Letti Matabane, Jamie Bartlett as Mike O’Reilly, Hlomla Dandala as Derek Nyathi, Darlington Michaels as Georgie “Papa G” Zamdela, Rajesh Kumar as do-gooder Jack Devnarain and Michelle Botes as resident badass, Cherel de Villiers. Although it is no longer on air, it was a game-changer for SA television.
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‘80S & ‘90S FLASHBACK
EPISODES OF CHILDREN’S LIVES FROM DAYS OF YORE
In the 1980s and 1990s channel surfing wasn’t as much fun as it is today, but there were some great shows. Back then there were only TV1, TV2, TV3 (now SABC1,2,3) M-Net and later e.tv. ALYSSIA BIRJALAL and LIAM KARABO JOYCE
MINA MOO EN KIE
This friendly cow owned a dairy in Klokkiesvlei. In every episode, two germs, Bak and Terie, tried to take over Mina Moo’s dairy. Luckily, when Karring Straatkat took a sip of milk, he turned into superhero Karring Ramkat and always saved the day.
KIDEO
Shelley Meskin was a favourite among many kids. She took viewers on a fun and interactive journey while teaching them vital life skills. Fans spent time with Timothy Traddle the tortoise, Mr Chinwag the donkey, and Soda Pop, a big blue bear.
PUMPKIN PATCH
Who can forget the two puppet cousins, Freckles and Speckles, their watchdog, Woofles, Laurel and the mayor, Uncle Bill. This South African classic children’s show was filled with colourful stories of fun and make-believe and cheerful songs.
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BRAKENJAN AND THE THREE MUSKETEERS Set in the17th century, Brakenjan travels to Paris to become one of King Louis XIII of France’s musketeers. During his journey, he befriends three musketeers and his two sidekicks Pip the mouse and Planchet the bear.
LIEWE HEKSIE
A very kind-hearted yet dimwitted witch can’t perform actual magic, but has a magic horse named Griet whom she can conjure up by saying his name. But she doesn’t always remember his name and only summons him accidentally when she calls out “O Griet” in a panicked state, Then there are her best friends, Blommie Kabouter, Mattewis and the stylish city cat, Karel Kat.
Together they must protect the floral beauty of Blommeland, which is guarded by Silwerroos. If a flower is ever stolen, all the flowers will die. The evil Geelheks from Gifappeltjieland constantly sends Kerrie and Borrie (two evil elves) to try and steal a flower and brighten up Gifappeltjieland. Liewe Heksie accidentally saves the day every time this happens.
TWEENS FLASHBACK
YO TV
This year, YoTV celebrated its 25th birthday. Yes, for 25 years YoTV has been one of South Africa’s most popular teen variety shows. As the show launched a new season in March this year, it reflected on its journey and rich history on television.
CRAZ-E
Craz-e occupied the children’s slot on e.tv. The slot aired weekdays from 2.30pm as a two-hour programming block. Initially, it was a separate block for teens, the second one being named Littl-e for preschoolers, until they were merged in 2018.
K-TV
K-T.V, which was also known as Kids TV, was a kids’ network broadcast in Scandinavia, the Netherlands, Belgium, Greece, Cyprus and South Africa as a programming block on M-Net and later on FilmNet. It was owned by Multichoice.
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SHAKA ZULU
SOUL CITY
LOCAL TV SHOWS DEEMED THE MOST ICONIC How does one begin to pick the most memorable shows of the ‘80s and ‘90s? Is that even possible? Everybody had their favourites... BUHLE MBONAMBI Me being in my early 30s means I will likely forget some TV shows. Luckily, I have consumed as much of our TV as I can over the past 30 years or so. TV has always fascinated me because of the stories we told.
‘SGUDI ‘SNAYSI
Let’s face it. This will always be the most iconic comedy show in South Africa’s history. The combos, as the kids say, communicated. Great comedic timing, writing, direction and
performances, have sealed Joe Mafela, Daphney Hlomuka, Gloria Mudau and Thembi Mtshali in SA’s acting hall of fame.
SHAKA ZULU
I have rarely shared this, but I cried when I met Henry Cele at The Workshop in Durban. I was nine and I was terrified of him. That’s just how much impact Shaka Zulu had on me. The BritishSouth Africa co-production is still a riveting watch 34 years later.
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SUBURBAN BLISS
This was an important show, especially because it managed to use comedy to tell the story of a black family moving into the suburbs after the 1994 elections and being neighbours with a white family. The culture clashes posed by the situation, meant there were many comedic moments which ended up showing how similar we really are and the only difference we really have is our culture and skin colour. Motshabi Tyelele, Seputla Sebogodi, Martin Le Maitre and Sue Pam Grant were great in these career-defining roles.
AGTER ELKE MAN
Created by Franz Marx, this drama was on air from 1985 until 1988 and boasted a number of South Africa’s top actors. It was based on the saying “behind every successful man is a woman” and these women were movers and shakers and made their presence known. It was groundbreaking at the time to have a show that really focused on women. It starred, among others, Christine Basson, Sulette Thompson, Cyrilene Slabbert, Rika Sennett and Dulcie van der Berg.
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EMZINI WEZINSIZWA
The creator of the show, Pixley Shabangu, died recently and it once again reminded us of what an excellent comedy Emzini Wezinsizwa is. Set in a Joburg hostel, the comedy puts together five men from different tribes- Zulu, Sotho, Xhosa and Tsonga. The culture clashes were hilariously done, with not even a hint of malice or tribalism. We still sing along to the title sequence and frequently talk about our favourite episodes all the time. Starring Roland Mqwebu, Vusi Thanda, Shadrack Ngema, Jerry Phele and Jabulani Nkosi.
ORKNEY SNORK NIE
Even though it was set in a small, sleepy town, there was nothing sleepy about this show. Orkney is a gold mining town situated in the Klerksdorp and the show was centered around the Van Tonder family: Hendrick, who worked on the mine, his family, their friends and the crazy shenanigans that proved that Orkney was not a sleepy town. It was a hit and was renewed for two more seasons, even with the controversy the show sometimes faced. Starring Zack du Plessis, Annette Engelbrecht, Frank Opperman and Sally Campher.
STREAKS
Streaks will probably go down in history for having the first gay character on South African TV. Set in a Cape Town hair salon, the comedy was all about the antics of the salon owner and her eccentric employees who all got up to some mischief and craziness. From Themba Ndaba’s flamboyant character to Michele Maxwell’s always exasperated, but trying to appear calm, owner of Streaks, the show was ahead of its time.
DYNAMITE DIEPKLOOF DUDES
A favourite for many children and teenagers, DDD was a group of sleuths who did their Nancy Drew and Hardy Boys best to bring justice to the community. They rode
around in bicycles solving crimes and assisting the police in putting away criminals in the community.
SOUL CITY
Soul City, which boasted some of the best actors, including Lillian Dube, came at a time when the rate of HIV/Aids was increasing exponentially in the country. It was there to educate the audience about the virus and also to de-stigmatise it. It was all about health issues, social questions and personal stories and it created an engaging drama series. It is one of the most important TV shows and also had a spin off, Soul Buddyz, which was the youth version of the show.
KWAKHALA NYONINI
Featuring an all-star cast of Magic Hlatswayo, Menzi Ngubane, Thembi Nyandeni and Nomsa Xaba, the show was as dramatic as it was funny. It was probably one of the first to deal with polygamy on TV as viewers introduced to Madlanduna, a polygamist businessman who bit more than he can chew after he decided to enter into polygamy and marry four women.
The women, MaNxumalo, Beauty, Nomusa and MaCele brought the drama of polygamy to the fore, in a hilarious way. Then there was Cijimbi, who was also a polygamist dealing with his own issues of trying to manage this expensive life.
SPECIAL MENTIONS Mponeng, Going Up, Fishy Fêshuns, Velaphi, 50/50, Noot vir Noot, Telefun Quiz, Jam Alley, Studio Mix, Liewe Heksie, Impressions, Selimathunzi, Hlala Kwabafileyo, Undenzani Melwane
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AGTER ELKE MAN
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Presenter unwinds the past Prim Reddy revisits her 16 years as a continuity announcer across SABC1, 2 and 3, with DEBASHINE THANGEVELO
THE SA TV landscape evolved after it went national in the late ’70s and grew, with continuity presenters added to the line-up. Viewers had their favourites, and Prim Reddy was among them. Although she has left the industry and is now the owner of The Indian Chapter, an award-winning restaurant, she was happy to take a trip down memory lane. Take us back to when you joined the SABC as a continuity presenter, what was the experience like, with the country embracing democracy? Wow. I started in 1992 for Impressions and then in 1994 at the big bold SABC in Johannesburg. It was unbelievable. An Indian girl, who sold spices, was entering the live world of television; it was a
beautiful place to be at. The work ethic was different, our faces were in the foyer, people were happy, opportunities were created. I hopped, skipped and jumped through the three stations: SABC 1, 2 and 3. Aletta Alberts was at the helm at SABC 2, a super-talented woman with multiple vision. I adored her and watched in admiration how she thought global, and implemented those strategies within the SABC2. It was a great entrance into the live broadcasting format. I was shorter than everyone else so they were kind enough to build a box for me. I spoke English and my co-presenter always spoke in a vernacular. South Africans were allembracing. SABC 2 presenters were among the team that spoke English, Afrikaans, Tsonga, Venda, Sesotho
and Pedi. By the first month, we all learnt a few words of our co-presenters. We were all exposed to different cultures and embraced it. How long were you a continuity presenter and take us through your fondest memory? I did continuity for almost 16 years. It was live, initially scary but an adrenaline rush every time, never knowing what gremlins await in the system and what you had to adlib if there was a break in transition. As for the second part of the question, it was that moment when Nelson Mandela walked down from a Boeing at the (channel’s) launch party; it gave me goosebumps. I was part of that transition and I was proud to carry both the SABC and the South African flag.
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SOUTH AFRICA’S FIRST LADY OF TALK...
Talk shows were a fairly new concept when Felicia Mabuza-Suttle’s show took over the small screen, writes DEBASHINE THANGEVELO TALK shows were a novel concept back in the 90s. While Oprah Winfrey was killing it in the genre in the US, South Africa was just starting to warm up to the idea. And in 1992, Felicia MabuzaSuttle was approached by the SABC to host a talk show. They wanted it to be in a similar vein to The Oprah Winfrey Show and The Phil Donahue Show. And so Mabuza-Suttle got to host Top Level, a show that spoke to a crossover audience and tackled pertinent issues within the social and political climate of the country. It started with a tiny budget. As her popularity grew as the Queen of Talk
Show in the country, the show was renamed The Felicia Show in 1995. The tone also changed. It focused more on societal-ills and concerns. She covered everything from prostitution, gangsterism, drug and sexual abuse to rare syndromes and diseases. She gave people a platform to speak their mind. She tried to make a difference. The show was shot with a live audience and was very interactive. I remember tuning in on a Monday night. There were times when I was completely transfixed by the topic discussed and there were times when I was annoyed. As much as Mabuza-Suttle exuded
Love it or hate it People of the South was a moment, writes BUHLE MBONAMBI I still remember a shell shocked Sello Maake KaNcube being interviewed by Dali Tambo on People of the South. He was visibly afraid of his dogs and even when Tambo was trying to reassure him, he wasn’t comfortable. That is one of the most vivid memories I have of People of the South. The talk show, which had a very relaxed, but probing vibe, was
hosted by Tambo and it was always a sign that you had made it if he wanted to speak to you. The show, like Felicia Mabuza’s was initially all about creating a strong sense of national identity and to evoke a sense of pride in the excellent South Africans that were featured on the show. The show’s initial run was from 1994 until 2002 on SABC 2. It came
warmth and came across as understanding and empathetic, there were moments where I felt like she could have done a little more research to understand the plight of her guests. This would have obviated the awkwardness triggered by some of her ignorant questions. That said, viewers were obsessed as this “voice of change” in talk show got the nation talking. She enlightened and entertained viewers. When the show’s run at the SABC ended, she moved to e.tv and the show was called, Felicia. Say what you may about MabuzaSuttle but she was the undisputed talk show legend back in the day.
back a decade later on SABC 3, where Dali went to his subject’s homes, trying to have as honest a conversation as possible, while still making sure it was interesting to the viewers. During it’s first run, People of the South became one of the longest running talk shows on South African TV, which is not an easy feat. The revival of the show was shortlived and only lasted two years. It was interesting to see how many people used the show as a vehicle for either an image overhaul, or trying to appeal to the public to understand who they are. Hence, it was loved by politicians, business people and entertainers.
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BOB “THE JAMMER” MABENA
The radio and TV personality passed away in August 2020. He died from a cardiac arrest at 51. Fans of “The Jammer” will remember him as the cohost of SABC1’s Studio Mix, a popular Friday night request music show in the ‘90s. In a chat with The Legacy Project, he said: “I would like to leave a legacy of having helped to make others successful.” He did that and more!
