Thousands of people tuned in to South Africa's first television broadcast on 5 January 1976 to see exactly what they had been missing for more than two decades. A year later more than 1.5 million viewers were tuning in every evening (the service was initially broadcast only 37 hours per week), according to South African historian Carin Bevan.
Many of these SABC shows held crossover appeal for children and adults. A number of these homegrown hits, such as Wielie Wielie Walie, Haas Das se Nuuskas, Pumpkin Patch, Kideo, Mina Moo and Professor Fossi en die Dinosaurusse were created by prolific writer Louise Smit.
Our top 10 South African children's TV shows:
Haas Das se Nuuskas (1976 - 1980)
Haas Das se Nuuskas was the first programme ever screened on South African TV, and soon became its most popular show among both children and adults, to whom its social and political satire appealed. The news-reading rabbit voiced by SABC legend Riaan Cruywagen also set a precedent for the wide use of puppets in SA children's shows.
Wielie Wielie Walie (1976 - 1996)
Characters in Wielie Wielie Walie included Sarel Seemonster, Karel Kraai and Bennie Boekwurm. When it was taken off air in 1996, it was one of the longest running TV shows in SA history.
Liewe Heksie (1978 1982)
They call her Liewie Heksie, but Levinia is her name ' The well meaning but absent-minded little witch from the Afrikaans radio stories made her telly debut in September 1978 and soon became a big hit with children and their parents with her kind heart and knack for accidentally saving the day.
Pumpkin Patch (1987 - 1991)
Pumpkin Patch characters included Woofles the security dog, mayor Uncle Bill, teacher Laurel and puppets Speckles and Freckles.
It was one of the first productions on the (mainly white) TV1 channel to include a non-white actor (Uncle Bill).
According to SA comedian Martin Evans, Pumpkin Patch seemed to defy the then government's attitude to so many things' - such as apartheid, homophobia and the braai mentality' of South Africa.
He claims that two possibly gay, vegan puppets own a talking dog' and their friends include an elderly coloured gentleman and young white woman, who seem to be having an illicit affair.'
Michael Bardsley, who was an editor on Pumpkin Patch agreed that despite it being a children's show there were loads of filthy jokes and innuendo'.
However others believe one shouldn't read too much into an innocent kids TV show and that Speckles and Freckles were meant to be twins, not lovers.
And if you're wondering what happened to the stars, comments on Evans' blog reveal that Laurel (Laurel McCulloch) lives in New Zealand and works for Rhema Radio while Woofles (Adrian Galley) is a producer and voice artist in Cape Town.
Speckles (John Rothman) is said to be a choreographer/singer in Las Vegas and Freckles (Anton Schmidt) is a DJ on LM Radio in Mozambique.
Mina Moo and Co (1987 1991)
Mina Moo was sponsored by the Dairy Board and its message was to encourage children to drink milk. It had English, Afrikaans, Northern Sotho and Zulu versions.
Mina Moo is a loveable cow who owns a dairy. The germs Bac and Teria are her enemies.
Trompie (1980)
Trompie was based on a popular series of books about the adventures of Trompie Toerien and his three friends, known as the Boksombende'. The theme song was sung by Anton Goosen.
Oscar (1978-1983)
Oscar the rabbit lives in Asblikfontein where rubbish comes alive. His wicked nemesis is Knersus the pterodactyl and his friends are Prins Poggenpoel, Snorkie the little dragon and Marietjie the rag doll. Oscar was a co-production between the SABC and IDTV. A 1977 British series, Oscar the Rabbit, was based on the same stories and characters.
Interster (1982-1986)
Interster was a weekly Afrikaans show about an undercover planetary defence agency operating from Cape Town under the guise of an interstellar shipping company.
SABC children's programming was quite innovative during the late 1970s and early 1980s. The team that cut their teeth with Liewe Heksie, in which the same sophisticated puppetry made its first appearance, took on the challenge of Interster. The electronic puppets were similar but in fact more advanced than the supermarionation puppets of Thunderbirds.
Die Swart Kat (1986-1995)
Borrie Veldt is an ordinary 12-year-old boy by day and secret crime fighter by night. Disguised as Die Swart Kat (Black Cat), using his BMX and kettie he solves the crimes that baffle his detective father.
Zet
Zet, a strange alien/ Bigfoot character was played by a human in a furry suit. He had a sister called Zettie and there was also a talented cartoonist who drew pictures with chalk and a black marker to illustrate Bible stories told in a voiceover.
South African blogger The Lank Tank comments, I hated this programme. Zet didn't even speak a language. He mumbled and said things like, bakjfbghekbgfkbv bskgbsk. This was Zet's form of communication and only the presenter could understand what he was saying. What did Zet even teach us? Was there any wisdom to his words?
Many of these shows are available on DVD through websites such as Kalahari or the SABC: (011) 714-3827 or content@sabc.co.za.
Watch more:
The top 10 vintage South African TV series
The top ten Afrikaans TV villains from the '70s and '80s
Top Ten South African adverts from our younger days
What are your favourite kids' TV shows from when you were younger? Tell us by commenting below.
Most recent headlines
04/08/2024
Dalet, a leading technology and service provider for media-rich organizations, is excited to announce Santiago Solanas as its new Chief Executive Officer (CEO)....
03/06/2024
Dalet, a leading technology and service provider for media-rich organizations, a...
04/05/2024
Spotify Wrapped Campaign Spot Graded With DaVinci Resolve Studio
Brie Clayton May 3, 2024
0 Comments
Blackmagic Design today announced that Colorist M...
04/05/2024
Three Boston Conservatory at Berklee Alums Nominated for Tony Awards An additional eight alums and two current students performed in nominated productions.
...
03/05/2024
An innovative learning tool to help media and civil society better understand ho...
03/05/2024
PARK CITY, UTAH - JANUARY 21: (L-R) Actors K stutis Cic nas and Greta Grinevi i t , Director Marija Kavtaradze and Producer Marija Razgute attend the 2023 Sunda...
03/05/2024
If you aren't familiar with Danny Ocean's music, it's only a matter ...
03/05/2024
Spotify has an unwavering commitment to supporting emerging artists across all genres, to helping them launch and thrive in their careers, and to connecting the...
03/05/2024
Como uno de los sonidos de mayor expansi n en el mundo, la M sica Mexicana va m ...
03/05/2024
As one of the fastest-growing sounds worldwide, M sica Mexicana is more than jus...
03/05/2024
NEW YORK FuboTV reported that it lost 110,000 subs in Q1 2024 but it exceeded its guidance for the quarter with double digit year-over-year increases across key...
03/05/2024
Only 3 Weeks Left To Enter The Creative Industries Most Award
Brie Clayton May 3, 2024
0 Comments
Creativepool is giving a last call to the creative i...
03/05/2024
WePlay Studios Transforms the Future of Live Event Storytelling with AJA Gear
Brie Clayton May 3, 2024
0 Comments
By 2032, the esports market is expec...
03/05/2024
WASHINGTON Shannon Bream, Fox News Sunday anchor and chief legal correspondent, sat for a keynote chat at The Business of TV News, with Tom Umstead, senior co...
03/05/2024
WASHINGTON Asked how important is local news, Martha Raddatz, who has covered foreign conflicts for decades and moderated presidential debates for ABC News, s...
03/05/2024
Sony Pictures and Apollo Global Management have made a $26 billion cash offer fo...
03/05/2024
CBS announced its 2024-2025 primetime schedule, which features the new dramas NCIS: Origins, Matlock and Watson, and new comedies Poppa's House and Georgie ...
03/05/2024
Sports-focused streaming service Fubo said it reduced its red ink in the first quarter, despite losing 110,000 subscribers since the end of the year....
03/05/2024
Walmart is reportedly about to release a new 4K streaming box/smart speaker hybrid device for Google TV that could retail for as low as $50, according to a repo...
03/05/2024
Enhancements to its Delivery Workspace solution provide increased content delivery robustness and security
By Matthew Corrigan
Published: May 3, 2024
Enha...
03/05/2024
According to reports, if the bid is successful, Sony would be the significant majority shareholder of the new private company
By Jenny Priestley
Published: M...
03/05/2024
Located in Manchesters Spinningfields district, the course aims to equip students with the skills, knowledge and industry insight for a career in the creative s...
03/05/2024
Lightbridge has created a new Cine Reflect Lighting System kit, dedicated to enabling artistic lighting with consideration of today's productivity practical...
03/05/2024
Broadcast media systems integrator BeckTV and Lawo worked together on a large-scale AES67 build of radio control rooms at KPBS, San Diego's NPR and PBS memb...
03/05/2024
Raleigh, NC, April 12, 2024 SmallHD announces PageOS 6, a powerful software update free for owners of SmallHD monitors, featuring increased functionality, exp...
03/05/2024
SmallHD announces the Quantum 32 a new 31.5 OLED monitor designed to provide reference HDR/SDR images for post-production final color grading, as well as cri...
03/05/2024
By 2032, the esports market is expected to grow to $9.29 billion, bolstered by a global player count and fan following that both continue to climb. The 2023 Lea...
03/05/2024
Amagi, the global leader in cloud-based SaaS technology for broadcast and connected TV (CTV), today announced that the 11th edition of the Amagi Global FAST Rep...
03/05/2024
Riedel Communications today announced that Westdeutscher Rundfunk (WDR) is relying on a media and intercom network based on Riedel technology for the renewal of...
03/05/2024
Broadpeak , a leading provider of content delivery network (CDN) and video streaming solutions for content providers and pay-TV operators worldwide, announced t...
03/05/2024
Media technology innovator Limecraft will exhibit the latest updates to its online platform on stand G79 at the 15-16 May 2024 Media Production & Technology Sho...
03/05/2024
Audio interface specialist Prism Sound is partnering with console manufacturer Solid State Logic, professional monitor manufacturer PMC and acoustic panel and d...
03/05/2024
Intinor, Sweden's leading developer of products and solutions for high-quality video over the internet, is set to join forces with its UK partner Zest Techn...
03/05/2024
NAKIVO Inc., a fast-growing software company dedicated to protecting physical, virtual, cloud, and SaaS environments, announced its Q1 2024 financial results to...
03/05/2024
Hiltron Communications announces an addition to its range of satellite communication products and systems: a field-upgradable motorisation kit specifically desi...
03/05/2024
Visit LiveU at Stand D30
With this year an exceptional one for major sporting events alongside multiple, key elections, the power and flexibility of LiveU'...
03/05/2024
Agile Content, the leader in the development of technology and solutions for the provision of television services over the Internet, announces Koldo Unanue as i...
03/05/2024
Eight co-signers representing streaming services, pay TV operators and public interest groups have sent a letter to Congressional leaders urging their Committee...
03/05/2024
BOSTON Brightcove has announced that it has implemented Amazon Q Business, a new generative AI assistant on Amazon Web Services (AWS)....
03/05/2024
NEW YORK CBS has declared that it will finish the 2023-24 season as Americas Most-Watched Network in primetime for the 16th consecutive season....
03/05/2024
A new survey indicates that U.S. businesses and consumers had an overall positive attitude towards their technology spending plans in the first quarter of 2024,...
03/05/2024
Sony and Apollo Global Management have sent an offer letter to Paramount Global's board of directors making an $26 billion all cash offer for Paramount Glob...
03/05/2024
EMG / Gravity Media has appointed Charlie Cubbon chief operating officer (COO) and Jamie Hindhaugh regional CEO for the U.K., U.S., Australia and the Middle Eas...
03/05/2024
Final 2024 Season Games to Air Saturdays on WRAL at 10:30am in May, Championship on June 1
Taping for the final episodes of the 2024 season of WRAL-TV's Br...
03/05/2024
Estrella MediaCo said it is expanding its connected TV portfolio by launching three new channels with Curiosity that will first appear on Samsung TV Plus....
03/05/2024
Nielsen said that actors' union SAG-AFTRA has selected Nielsen as its third-party provider of streaming content measurement....
03/05/2024
Cineverse said it has released a public beta version of cineSearch, its artificial intelligence-based system designed to help users find content to watch....
03/05/2024
Court TV said that its series Accomplice to Murder with Vinnie Politan is returning for a second season beginning May 5....
03/05/2024
Paramount Advertising said it is working with Mastercard and research and analytics company EDO to measure the impact of advertising campaigns and improve their...
Thousands of people tuned in to South Africa's first television broadcast on 5 January 1976 to see exactly what they had been missing for more than two decades. A year later more than 1.5 million viewers were tuning in every evening (the service was initially broadcast only 37 hours per week), according to South African historian Carin Bevan.
