So Long, and Thank You

And here we are ... my farewell to you.  The time has come for me to move on, en ek wil van hierdie geleentheid gebruik maak om dankie te sê.  Thank you to those who believed in the dream and had their hands on my back.  Dankie aan Frans Erasmus vir sy toewyding, en vir sy bereidheid om dit met ons te deel.  Thank you to everyone who donated material, and to every contributor to the stream, especially Les Smith, Frans Erasmus and Lance James. Thank you to each and every one who was involved in Springbok Radio from even before 1950, for your contribution to a rich broadcast heritage.  And thank you that I could enrich my life with the wonderful collection.  Working with Springbok Radio became my life, and the joy it brought is beyond explanation.  Die struikelblokke was soms bykans onoorkombaar, maar die genoegdoening was elke keer die moeite werd.  Thank you for allowing me to share the wonder with you, for being patient when the learning curve became a bit steep, and for understanding when technology couldn’t always keep up.  I will miss working with Springbok Radio more than words can tell.  I will miss the awe, the wonderful stories and excellent programmes, the investigations, the conversations, the battles and the victories, and I will always fondly remember this season in my life as one of the most significant.  So, this is your host, Retha Buys, saying so long, and thank you  for all the memories. 

Remember, Springbok Radio Revisited will continue.  The stream will be shortened to a monthly 3 hour repeat for the next couple of months until the new custodian find his/her feet, and it will contain mostly programmes about the history of broadcasting, and other programmes you haven’t heard before.  “Queens Messenger”, “Squad Cars” and “Taxi”  will be featured in every stream.  Be sure not to miss out on this trip down the memory lane of broadcasting.

May you and yours have a wonderful Christmas filled with love and peace, and may the new year bring you joy, hope, growth and blessings.  

Retha Buys

Retha Buys, Springbok Radio custodian, farewell - SABC Radio Archives

Retha Buys, archivist and custodian of Springbok Radio Revisited, is leaving the SABC Radio Archives at the end of December 2013.
We had a small function on 5 December in the SABC Radio Archives to say goodbye before everybody break for the holidays.

Little that we know that it was a good time to have said our goodbyes, because the next day it was time to say goodbye to our former President, Nelson Mandela.
The SABC Media Libraries had to jump in with shifts and requests and cataloging of material coming in in one of South Africa's landmark historical events!

More photos can be seen here: Retha Buys farewell - SABC Radio Archives.


Photos by Karen du Toit, Archivist in the SABC Radio Archives.

Social Media for Libraries - Storify: presented at the Information and Library Management Africa 2013 Conference

This Storify is a compilation of the social stories for the presentation as part of the Information and Library Management Africa 2013 Conference.
The first day of the conference, 26 September 2013, was at the Crowne Plaza, Rosebank.

Blog post by Karen du Toit, Archivist in the SABC Radio Archives.

In Memoriam: Peter Merrill - a man of firsts (2013/06/18)

It is with sadness that we pay tribute to yet another great spirit of Springbok Radio, Peter Merrill, who passed away on 18 June 2013.  Peter's was the voice that closed broadcast on the very first day of Springbok Radio on 1 May 1950.  He was involved in numerous programmes, either as actor, director or presenter, and will be fondly remembered by many.  Some of the programmes that carried the Peter Merrill stamp in one way or the other was Dance Time, the programme that closed the first day's broadcast on Springbok Radio,  as presenter,  the Sarie '74 awards which he presented with Elwyn Morris, Pick-A-Box as producer, and he also acted in the very first children's serial on Springbok Radio, namely Jungle Boy.  Peter also joined Esmé Euvrard as presenter of the very popular Springbok Rendezvous, and co-presented The Castle Lager Sportz Quiz.

In 1952 Peter started the first production house, Herrick Merrill Production Studios, with Dean Herrick, and they were involved in the production of the first locally produced soap operas, dramas etc.  The first women's serial Linda's First Love was produced by them from scripts received from Canada.  From their studios the popular programme No Place to Hide also originated, a serial which, according to Peter in an interview with Bea Reed in 1985, "changed the entire supper habits of South Africa."

From the SABC he headed on to Namibia, heading the English Service of the SWABC.

Our condolences to Linda, Peter's wife, and his children, grandchildren, family and friends.  My the memories he created bring you peace.

Retha Buys, Archivist: Springbok Radio, SABC Radio Archives

In Memoriam: Dale Cutts (2013-04-19)

Dale Cutts sadly passed away in April 2013.  artSMart wrote a wonderful piece about him, which you can read at http://news.artsmart.co.za/2013/04/death-of-dale-cutts.html.  Springbok Radio Revisited salutes you Dale, and thank you for Adam Kane, amongst other gems.  Our sincerest condolences to his friends and family.  May the memories carry you through.

Springbok Radio - a radio station lives on because of their dedicated listeners

A guest post contribution for the second World Radio Day in 2013.

Springbok Radio, a former radio station of the South African Broadcasting Corporation in South Africa, closed its transmission at the end of 1985. It was the first commercial radio station of the SABC.

During the time of 1950 -1985 there was no dedicated effort to collect all the radio programmes for archives, and most of the programmes were recorded over one another to save resources, which was mostly in the format of reel-to-reel tapes.

The SABC Radio Archives have found some of these recorded gems in the archives, but it was only by the passion of the listeners that a large collection of the Springbok Radio material was saved.

The guest post can be found at Lifeline Energy: 

A radio station lives on because of their dedicated listeners

In Memoriam: Bea Reed, Golden Girl of Springbok Radio

V 2013-01-29

Bea Reed, fondly referred to as the “Golden Girl of Springbok Radio” sadly passed away on 29 January 2013. 

Bea, who started her broadcasting career in 1955 for the then English Service, joined Springbok Radio in 1958, when she took over the program “Cascade of Stars” in the absence of Valerie Meyer.  Her enthusiasm about jazz music mirrored in her program “Bea with me”, which soon became a very popular programme on Springbok Radio.

In July 1960 Bea became the first woman to be appointed as a full time Springbok announcer.  In the SABC Bulletin of 18 July 1960, Bea recalled: “I was chatting to Steve de Villiers one day, when I casually – and jokingly – said “Hoe lyk dit met ‘n vroumens op Springbok?”  Steve laughed and said they’d never really thought of it seriously, but considered it a good idea.  That was that for the time being and I forgot all about it.  Not long after, he called me to his office and asked me if I’d like to be the first ‘vroumens’ on Springbok.  I am absolutely delighted.”

Bea was a steel buyer before she ventured into broadcasting, and her first broadcast was during the SA Cricket team’s visit to the UK, when she made an announcement at the conclusion of an over.  Being more than a broadcaster, she compéred events, e.g. the “Tots and Teens” fashion parade in 1963, of which the proceeds went to the Cripples’ Care Association.  She was also part of a panel of judges who chose the first “Printers’ Princess” during the first ever “Printers’ Safety Week” in 1964, and she was a judge for “Springbok Radio’s Toy for Joy” competition in 1967.

But above all Bea was very focussed on her family.  Swiss radio engineer, Jean-Claude stole Bea’s heart, and they married in 1960.  Her own parents lived in New Zealand, so Peter Lamsley, Springbok Radio Production Manager gave her away.  They had two sons, Phillipe and Jean Pierre.  An article in the SABC Bulletin in 1964 depicted her as always putting her husband and children first in all things, and that she arranged her life around them.  From her own mouth in the same article, came some wisdom which we can all remember:  “If you want to work and have a family, you have to be careful or else you’ll end up neglecting one or the other.”  For this reason she resigned as full-time announcer before the birth Jean Pierre.  And other than radio and family, Bea loved cooking and embroidery. 

Besides her popular “Family Favourites’, Bea was also involved in “Match the Colour with Rockgrip”, and “The Phillips Key Game”, amongst others. 

As Lynn stated in an SABC Bulletin in 1970, “Bea (was) one of those divine people who really enthuses!  Life, to her, (was) one big bowl of cherries – and she manage(d) to infect everyone around her with that same feeling.” 

From Springbok Radio Revisited’s side, a standing ovation to Bea Reed, who will keep on shining in the memories of all who loved her.

-       RethaBuys, Senior Archivist: Springbok Radio Revisited, SABC Radio Archives

Springbok Radio #4 - Squad Cars & Trials

This is the 4th in a series of blog posts featuring Springbok Radio, the SABC's first commercial radio station, that was broadcasting from 1950-1985 before it was closed.

The visual canvasses are from the most recent UNESCO World Day for Audiovisual Heritage 2012 exhibition at SABC.

One of probably the most popular programs on Springbok Radio was Squad Cars:

Squad Cars 

"They prowl the empty streets of night... These are the men of Squad Cars"

"Week by week a dramatized story of the South African Police at work would unfold.
The series was directed by Colin Fish, produced by David Gooden and recorded at the Sonovision Studios in down-town Johannesburg.
A total of 823 episodes were recorded."

             - Frans Erasmus, former custodian of the Springbok Radio collection


Two programmes about Investigation and Trial:

Consider Your Verdict

"Consider Your Verdict" started on Springbok Radio in 1954, and ended in December 1985.

The series presented a different court case every week and was loosely based on the imported radio series "Famous Jury Trials", which was also broadcast on Springbok Radio prior to "Consider Your Verdict".

The series presented a different court case every week and was loosely based on the imported radio series "Famous Jury Trials", which was also broadcast on Springbok Radio prior to "Consider Your Verdict"

                       - Frans Erasmus

Inspector Carr investigates

"The Epic Casebook / Inspector Carr investigates" started on Springbok Radio in May 1957 with Douglas Laws playing Inspector Carr.

The series concerned retired Scotland Yard Chief Inspector Carr, who gave a weekly story from his casebook of crime.

All the stories were written & produced by Michael Silver and recorded at the CRC Studios in Johannesburg.

The series was called "The Epic Casebook" from 1957-1977, named after the sponsor "The Epic Oil Company". 

During 1977 the series was called "Inspector Carr investigates" after a decision by Springbok Radio not to tie up a series with just one sponsor."


            - Retha Buys, custodian of Springbok Radio material.



Related posts:

- Springbok radio #1 - The history 

- Springbok Radio #2 - News and Comedy

- Springbok Radio 3 - Afrikaans



Springbok Radio content on canvasses by Retha Buys, custodian of Springbok Radio.

Blog post by Karen du Toit, Afrikaans archivist in the SABC Radio Archives.

Springbok Radio #3 - Afrikaans

This is part of a series of blog posts focusing on Springbok Radio, the SABC's first commercial radio station, that was broadcasting from 1950-1985 before it was closed.


The visual canvass is from the most recent UNESCO World Day for Audiovisual Heritage 2012 exhibition at SABC.

Springbok Radio featured very popular Afrikaans programmes, such as "Wie die liefde nie het nie", "Die Volmaakte Uur", "So maak mens" en "Hospitaaltyd". 

"Die Volmaakte Uur" was a serial story by Frieda Viljoen. One of the episodes was recorded in hospital to accomodate a sick actor (see canvass).

"So maak mens" was an extremely popular programme full of household tips, recipes and discussions by the also very popular Esmé Euvrard and Jan Cronjé. 

It first started as a programme in English, "This is How" (1950) , which was only a weekly instalment, but changed to "So maak Mens" from 1957 which turned into a daily slot on 14H15 each week day. 

"Hospitaaltyd" was also a firm favourite with Dulcie van den Bergh who cheered up sick people.

The last of these programmes were transmitted on 31/12/1985.

Link to the digital audio stream that loops 6-hourly in a two-weekly update by Retha Buys, Springbok Radio custodian: 

Springbok Radio Revisited

Related posts:

- Springbok radio #1 - The history 

- Springbok radio #2 - News and Comedy

- The story of Springbok Radio via Storify

- Handover of Springbok Radio archive material to SABC 

- Springbok Radio Revisited

Springbok Radio content on canvass by Retha Buys, custodian of Springbok Radio.

Blog post by Karen du Toit, Afrikaans archivist in the SABC Radio Archives.

Springbok Radio #2 - News AND comedy

A series of blog posts focusing on Springbok Radio, the SABC's first commercial radio station, that was broadcasting from 1950-1985 before it was closed.

The sound and the memories lives on through the listeners, and through the dedication of the Springbok Radio Preservation Society by way of Frans Erasmus.

This dedication is passionately shared by the Springbok Radio custodian in the SABC Radio Archives, Retha Buys, who took over the collection, and ensure a two-weekly six-hour stream of Springbok Radio gems.

Link to the digital audio stream: Springbok Radio Revisited

The two following visual canvasses are from the most recent UNESCO World Day for Audiovisual Heritage 2012 exhibition at SABC:

- Springbok Radio was a constant source of news and actuality.

"The SABC was also committed to bringing
current, timely, interesting and in-depth news
in various programmes, like
"Deadline Thursday Night" and
through regular news bulletins."

- Springbok Radio also made sure that the listeners were entertained.

"The Pip Freedman Show, Taxi &
Next Stop Makouvlei as well as
The Men from the Ministry"

The most recent stream includes an episode of the regular comedy Taxi:
Taxi: Agatha & Rupert, by Joe Stewardson (1972/01/23)


Related posts:

- Springbok radio #1 - The history 

- The story of Springbok Radio via Storify

- Handover of Springbok Radio archive material to SABC 

- Springbok Radio Revisited


Springbok Radio content on canvasses by Retha Buys, custodian of Springbok Radio.

Blog post by Karen du Toit, Afrikaans archivist in the SABC Radio Archives.

Springbok Radio #1 - The History

SABC Media Libraries' exhibition poster:
UNESCO World Day for Audiovisual Heritage 2012

"Springbok Radio was the first SABC commercial radio station. Its lifespan was from 1 May 1950 to 31 December 1985 when it was closed mainly because it was no longer  seen as financially viable following the advent of  television in 1976.  

Springbok Radio programmes were uniquely different and fresh, and became people’s companion over the years.  Drama, adventure, comedy, documentaries, variety, and other programme formats kept listeners entertained and glued to the Radio.  Springbok Radio also created a platform for artists and actors to become well-known and loved by the public, and afforded them the opportunity to live out their creativity. Springbok Radio contributed to a wealth of local content.

Unfortunately much of the material was not archived. The reasons ranged from tapes having been re-used to commercial programmes not being seen as ‘culture’ – a world-wide tendency at the time. Since the closure of Springbok Radio in 1985, interest in it by the public has grown and the nostalgic value of "stream" radio has increased over the years."   

             - Retha Buys (Custodian of Springbok Radio Revisited at SABC)

The most recent UNESCO World Day for Audiovisual Heritage 2012 highlighted the dire predicament of the state of the audiovisual heritage of the world.

"Too much of the world's 20th century Audiovisual Heritage is now lost, and much more is slipping beyond recovery because of neglect, natural decay and technological obsolescence.Unesco proclaimed 27 October  as the World Day for Audiovisual Heritage to be celebrated annually to build global awareness of the various issues at stake in preserving the Audiovisual Heritage.Unless public awareness of the importance of preservation is increased, this trend will continue.We need to raise public awareness of our Audiovisual Heritage. IF NOT this trend will continue - our AUDIOVISUAL HERITAGE will be lost."

This post is the first in a series of posts about Springbok Radio, the SABC radio station material that made it's way back in the archives of the public broadcaster of South Africa after it was "lost"! 

SABC Media Libraries most recent exhibition on UNESCO World Day for Audiovisual Heritage focused exclusively on this collection.

The story of the return of Springbok Radio material to SABC is a case in point for the importance of our audiovisual heritage!

Return of Springbok Radio Material

"After the closure of Springbok Radio, the Springbok Radio Preservation Society was formed to collect all the relevant broadcast material and to ensure that this element of SABC history would not be lost for future generations. Mr Frans Erasmus was the driving force of the initiative, and he dedicated his life to collecting all things Springbok Radio, either from producers and production houses, or from private collectors.       

The SABC Radio Archive has worked closely with the Springbok Radio Preservation Society over the last few years to assist in making the collection accessible to the public.  Since most of the material belongs to the SABC, an agreement was reached with Mr Erasmus to grant him permission to look after the collection, and to make the material accessible via a website and a digital stream.  The SABC in return handled all queries relating to Springbok Radio and ensured that copyright was not violated. In addition, copies of the Springbok Radio collections were submitted to the SABC on a regular basis to be catalogued and added to SABC databases. The mutual understanding was to transfer the complete collection back to the SABC, for preservation and as part of the SABC radio broadcast legacy, while the Springbok Radio Preservation Society would maintain the website and digital stream under the auspices of the SABC.

Earlier this year Mr Erasmus decided to hand over the collection in its entirety (including the website and the digital stream) to the SABC Radio Archives. He agreed to assist with and oversee the process of transferring the digital stream and the website, as well as advising on the preservation of the material and related information.

This generous gesture by Mr Erasmus and the Springbok Radio Preservation Society will bring joy to the lives of many people in future, but especially for those who remember Springbok Radio or who can appreciate a good radio story."

                         - Retha Buys  

Related posts:

- UNESCO World Day for Audiovisual Heritage 2012 - awareness by SABC Media Libraries in South Africa

- World Day for Audiovisual Heritage on 27 October 2012

- The story of SABC Springbok Radio via Storify

- Handover of Springbok Radio archive material to SABC

-  Springbok Radio revisited


Blog post by Karen du Toit, Afrikaans Archivist in SABC Radio Archives

World day for AudioVisual Heritage on 27 October 2012

It is again on 27 October 2012 the World Day for AudioVisual Heritage that has been declared by UNESCO as the official day to highlight the dire state of our AV collections worldwide.

The theme for 2012 is: “Audiovisual heritage memory? the clock is ticking”

"Audiovisual documents, such as films, radio and television programmes, audio and video recordings, contain the primary records of the 20th and 21st centuries.

Transcending language and cultural boundaries, appealing immediately to the eye and the ear, to the literate and illiterate, audiovisual documents have transformed society by becoming a permanent complement to the traditional written record.  

However, they are extremely vulnerable and it is estimated that we have no more than 10 to 15 years to transfer audiovisual records to digital to prevent their loss. 

Much of the world's audiovisual heritage has already been irrevocably lost through neglect, destruction, decay and the lack of resources, skills, and structures, thus impoverishing the memory of mankind. Much more will be lost if stronger and concerted international action is not taken." - UNESCO 

IASA, the International Association of Sound and Audiovisual Archives, is hosting the day at 
World Day for AudioVisual Heritage.

They undertake to post any relevant content: Tell us how your organisation is celebrating World Day for Audiovisual Heritage? 



The SABC Media Libraries will also be taking part. 


This year we will focus especially on our Springbok Radio Revisited collection, the radio material of the former SABC radio station Springbok Radio, that was handed back earlier this year to the SABC. 

Springbok Radio Revisited

The official hand over of Springbok Radio archive material to SABC took place on 8 May 2012 this year.  

Hand over of Springbok Radio material by Frans Erasmus to
Thami ka Plaatjie of the SABC

Springbok Radio can still be heard digitally in 6-hour loops that is being refreshed on a two-weekly basis by our Springbok Radio custodian, Retha Buys. 
The Springbok Radio Audio stream is here: http://www.springbokradio.com/AudioStream.html

How will you highlight your audiovisual heritage?


Related posts: 

- Storify: World Day for Audiovisual Heritage 2011 at the SABC

- SABC Platfontein celebrated World Day for Audiovisual Heritage

- SABC Bloemfontein exhibition for World Day for Audiovisual Heritage

- UNESCO World Day for Audiovisual Heritage  27-28 October 2010

- The story of  Springbok radio via Storify

- Frans Erasmus, an inspiration!

- Springbok Radio Revisited


Blog post by Karen du Toit, Afrikaans Archivist in the SABC Radio Archives.

The story of SABC Springbok Radio via Storify