The top ten Afrikaans TV villains from the 70s and 80s

Knersus in disguise

1. Knersus (Oscar, 1978-1983)

Even though Oscar the rabbit was the official hero, it was his nemesis who stole this show. Knersus was a pterodactyl who lived in Asblikfontein, the land where garbage comes alive. The fare here was, well, rubbish, and Knersus' mouth was always watering for rabbit stew. His pursuit of Oscar got very creative and involved disguises, traps and even a touch of magic. If it weren't for Oscar's smarts, his good friends and a magic cudgel specially designed to beat Knersus, our little friend would have been stewing meat eons ago.

George Ballot as Skollie Williams

2. Skollie (Vyfster, 1982-1986)

A thief, smuggler and cheat who's not opposed to violence and murder: that's Skollie, the hero of prison drama Vyfster. Nothing could dampen Skollie's enthusiasm for escaping prison, not even recapture, threats of solitary confinement or the scheming of his adversaries. But beneath all his villainy, Skollie turned out to be quite a softy. After two series, a film was dedicated to him and his quest to be with his son.

The Geelheks of Gifappeltjieland

3. Geelheks (Liewe Heksie, 1978-1982)

The witch of Gifappeltjieland was nasty, ugly and determined to steal Blommeland's magical Silver Rose. Luckily for our friends, none of the Gifappeltjies were a match for Liewe Heksie's good intentions and accidental magic. Besides, the Geelheks had a terrible temper: whenever Heksie called her Ou Perse (Old Purple One), she got too furious to do any proper damage.

Scot Scott as Jack Steyn

4. Jack Steyn (Agter Elke Man, 1985-1986)

Jack Steyn was, in the words of his own mother, pure rubbish . He was aggressive, abusive and dangerous. When he needed money for his bike, he first stole some watches, then he assaulted his sister and trashed her office. Later he was all set to murder former buddy Wessel when his girlfriend got to him first. South Africans probably gave a collective sigh of relief as Suzy drove that knife into Jack's stomach.

Emgee Pretorius as Priester

5. Priester (Vyfster, 1982-1986)

Vyfster's Skollie was a villain, but a likeable one. By contrast, Priester was simply despicable. Prison-gang boss Pappa never said a word in public. Instead, Priester spoke for him, acted for him and delivered threats and condemnation in his name - much like the unholy priest of an evil deity. What made Priester so chilling was his fa ade of piety and the way he would deliver those threats with an expression worthy of a Sistine Chapel fresco.

Bak and Terie making mischief

6. Bak en Terie (Mina Moo en Kie, 1987-1991)

If two fellows with complementary names pitch up out of the blue, look closely. The electricians Vonk and Prop? Ice-skating instructors named Sneeu and Vlok? Those out-of-work Shakespeare actors, Snow White's dwarves or Cinderella's stepsisters? They're probably none other than the germs Bak and Terie. You'd think that Mina Moo would have learnt to be less gullible, but time and again she fell for their traps. Luckily she had some good friends: smart little Tessie, technologically advanced Mika, and Karring, who turned into a supercat after one sip of milk. They even banished Bak and Terie to the moon, but to the joy of children across South Africa, the germs kept finding their way home for more mischief.

Gavin van den Bergh as Captain James Kerwin

7. Captain James Kerwin (Arende, 1989-1994)

Captain James Kerwin wasn't an outright villain, but he did make life difficult for the hero of this Anglo-Boer War drama. Sloet Steenkamp was a prisoner-of-war on St. Helena who, like Skollie, tried his best to escape. Not only did Kerwin thwart him every time, but this English army captain was also a bit of a cad known for seducing beautiful young women. In his defence, he did help the mute and traumatised Meisie Viljee find her voice again. Then he befriended the Boers, to the point of being charged with High Treason in a military court. Being one of the most handsome villains on this list probably also counts in his favour

Hugo Taljaard as Gavin Greeff

8. Gavin Greeff (Ballade vir n Enkeling, 1987-1993)

Jacques Rynhard didn't have a happy life. It wasn't enough that his mother was horrible, that he got bundled off to reform school for a crime he didn't commit, or that his best friends betrayed him. There was also Gavin Greeff, a miscreant from reform school who continued to make life miserable for years after school. Very annoying.

Karnati, crown prince of Krokon

Dr Gorman

9. Gorman and Karnati (Interster, 1982-1986)

Prince Karnati didn't just make life difficult for a specific hero. This super-villain intended to take over the entire universe. And since it was the good people of Cape Town-based Interster that kept him at bay, he would have done well to destroy earth first. But it was really Dr. Gorman Interster had to look out for. Gorman, the most powerful trader in the universe, acted as friend and benefactor to Interster, but turned out to be a double agent for Karnati. Hard work indeed for our heroes, Captain Buks de la Rey and Lieutenant Adam Buys!

Steve Hofmeyr as Bruce Beyers

10. Bruce Beyers (Agter Elke Man, 1987-1990)

Since Jack Steyn died in series 1, Agter Elke Man needed a new villain in series 2. This time, the baddie wasn't a complete evildoer, but really just a boerseun, from a good family, who lost his way. Sure, Bruce Beyers (played by a very young Steve Hofmeyr) was a troublemaker. But then he went to jail and your heart broke because you knew he was innocent. Even when he swore revenge on Steve and Leana, who finally got it together after two series, you couldn't help rooting for the guy. Bruce's character started off as a minor part, but swooning fans from across the country demanded to see more of him. After the end of two series,

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