Media release:
Tuesday 08 May 2012 will officially mark
the handover of the archives of the Springbok
Radio Preservation Society of
South Africa to the SABC.
When Springbok Radio
opened in 1950 it had only three
medium wave transmitters,
but by October
1951, it
was broadcasted to all
the densely populated areas
of the then Union of
South Africa on 11 transmitters. Eric Egan was the first voice on Springbok Radio
with his breakfast show. From the start
it was a resounding success- announcers found themselves catapulted into the
limelight and they were mobbed by eager fans when they made public appearances.
Springbok
Radio created a new vehicle for local artists and writers. Private production
houses were churning out episode after episode of soap operas such as “From Chrystal with love”, “No place to hide” and ‘Liefdeslied”. There was also more than
enough comedy to satisfy listeners. Shows such as the Caltex Loudspeaker Show, Next
Stop – Makouvlei, Taxi,The Navy Lark,
Friends and Neighbours and the Men from the Ministry became cult hits,
while shows like Springbok Radio Top 20 offered music to the ears of the
listeners.
Voices
from Springbok Radio includedPip
Freedman, Paddy O Byrne, Esme Euvrard, Clark McKay, Danie Smuts, Gordon
Mulholland, Brian O’ Shaughnessy, Dorianne Berry, David Gresham, Mervyn John,
Robin Alexander, Dana Niehaus, Douggie Laws, Denis Smith and Bea Read, to
name but a few. It was a sad day for many listeners when Springbok Radio
broadcast for the last time in 1985.
Unfortunately,
due to many reasons, much of the material was not archived, although a lot of
the material was kept by producers, presenters, or recorded in listener’s
homes. Since the closure of Springbok Radio in 1985, interest by the public
grew and the nostalgic value of old time radio increased over the years. The
Springbok Radio Preservation Society of South Africa was formed in 2002. Mr Frans Erasmus, the main drive behind the
initiative, dedicated his life to collect as much Springbok Radio material
possible, either from producers and production houses, or from private
collectors, both locally and overseas.
The SABC
Radio Archive has been working closely with The Springbok Radio Preservation
Society of South Africa 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
collection were handed to the SABC on a regular basis to be catalogued and
added to the SABC databases. The mutual understanding was to transfer the
complete collection back to the SABC, for preservation and as part of the
SABC’s radio broadcast legacy, while the Springbok Radio Preservation Society
would maintain the website and digital stream under the auspices of the SABC.
Recently
Mr Erasmus decided to hand the collection in its entirety, including the
website and the digital stream to the SABC Radio Archives, and agreed to assist
with and oversee the process of transferring the digital stream and the
website, as well as advising the preservation of the material and the
information pertaining to the material.
As a
gesture to thank Mr Frans Erasmus and the Springbok Radio Preservation Society
for their contribution towards the preservation of one of the most nostalgic
radio stations in South Africa, the SABC Media Libraries will host a formal
function where tribute can be paid to Springbok Radio and the work Mr Erasmus
has done. It is exciting to know that a collection, once outside the
SABC’s domain and almost forgotten, will return to its rightful place in the
SABC, be looked after, and be accessible for the future.
The
theme of the event will be reminisced of the era of Springbok Radio and it is
hoped some of the previous presenters will grace the event, for this also
serves to thank everyone ever involved in Springbok Radio for their
contribution to brighter broadcasting.
Media Enquiries: Mr. Kaizer Kganyago. Cell: 082 306 8888
