THIS PAGE WILL FEATURE LETTERS SENT IN BY OUR GUESTS.
HIERDIE BLADSY BEVAT BRIEWE WAT DEUR ONS GASTE INGESTUUR IS.
HIERDIE BLADSY BEVAT BRIEWE WAT DEUR ONS GASTE INGESTUUR IS.
Paul Stephens (former 702, Radio 5 and Highveld Stereo announcer) now residing in Sydney,
Australia writes:
Australia writes:
Congratulations on your site! While I was working at the SABC, I had the opportunity to read
news for David Gresham's afternoon show in the early 80s. My period as a South African
broadcaster (some of this with the SABC), afforded me the wonderful gift of being able to work
with some, and certainly meet many, of the truly marvelous individuals who were part of the
Springbok Radio team over some period or another.
I have lived in Australia since 1996 (Sydney - the home town of Clark McKay, and the place he
first made a huge name for himself).
Still, the memories of Springbok Radio are very dear to me. I was in Capetown when Springbok
radio came to a close, and listened to that final broadcast in a Clifton hotel. Once again, looking
at the photos of the studio, I've shed tears. Not tears of sadness this time, but because I'm
overwhelmed at the realisation of having had the opportunity to be so close to that Springbok
Radio magic, career-wise and as a listener.
I still own one of those big Mk3 turntables. I bought three, but a previous violent partner
smashed apart two of them with a hammer some years ago. I have even managed to aquire
two front modules from an 'autopanel'. The 'autopanel' to those who don't know the term, was
the name given to the cleverly made mixing desk for announcers, designed and made by the
SABC just like the turntables were. One of the modules holds the red microphone button and
the 'cough' button. Like amputees often report feelings from a 'phantom' limb, I can still feel the
touch of that microphone button at my fingertips.
My father had worked with Adrian Steed as an actor. While I was a young lad at Benoni High
School in the 70s, Adrian recorded a special 'news bulletin' for a play that my father wrote for me
to produce for our inter-house play festival. The play, entitled "It Can't Happen Here", was about
the views many people held that cross-border terrorism couldn't happen to them. We won a
"Best Special Effects" award for the play - largely due to Adrian's TV news item about a group of
terrorists.
I worked closely with Clackie, Colin Fluxman and Paddy O'Byrne among others. The late Shirley
Veal and I got on tremedously well, and I absolutely adored her. Evelyn Martin is a delightful
human being, and it was just nothing short of 'awesome' being in the presence of our favourite
tannie, Esmé Euvrard.
It would be easy to reminisce for hours, possibly days, even weeks. Those SABC corridors and
studios will NEVER hold such sparkle and personality again. Those corridors were once filled
with dynamic characters, moving from room to room, studio to studio, on-air and off-air talent
alike - perfecting their craft, weaving their magical charms for all of us to enjoy. It's gone! and all
we have are the memories. That was the way of a bygone era in broadcasting, which made
radio so special. That was...Springbok Radio.
news for David Gresham's afternoon show in the early 80s. My period as a South African
broadcaster (some of this with the SABC), afforded me the wonderful gift of being able to work
with some, and certainly meet many, of the truly marvelous individuals who were part of the
Springbok Radio team over some period or another.
I have lived in Australia since 1996 (Sydney - the home town of Clark McKay, and the place he
first made a huge name for himself).
Still, the memories of Springbok Radio are very dear to me. I was in Capetown when Springbok
radio came to a close, and listened to that final broadcast in a Clifton hotel. Once again, looking
at the photos of the studio, I've shed tears. Not tears of sadness this time, but because I'm
overwhelmed at the realisation of having had the opportunity to be so close to that Springbok
Radio magic, career-wise and as a listener.
I still own one of those big Mk3 turntables. I bought three, but a previous violent partner
smashed apart two of them with a hammer some years ago. I have even managed to aquire
two front modules from an 'autopanel'. The 'autopanel' to those who don't know the term, was
the name given to the cleverly made mixing desk for announcers, designed and made by the
SABC just like the turntables were. One of the modules holds the red microphone button and
the 'cough' button. Like amputees often report feelings from a 'phantom' limb, I can still feel the
touch of that microphone button at my fingertips.
My father had worked with Adrian Steed as an actor. While I was a young lad at Benoni High
School in the 70s, Adrian recorded a special 'news bulletin' for a play that my father wrote for me
to produce for our inter-house play festival. The play, entitled "It Can't Happen Here", was about
the views many people held that cross-border terrorism couldn't happen to them. We won a
"Best Special Effects" award for the play - largely due to Adrian's TV news item about a group of
terrorists.
I worked closely with Clackie, Colin Fluxman and Paddy O'Byrne among others. The late Shirley
Veal and I got on tremedously well, and I absolutely adored her. Evelyn Martin is a delightful
human being, and it was just nothing short of 'awesome' being in the presence of our favourite
tannie, Esmé Euvrard.
It would be easy to reminisce for hours, possibly days, even weeks. Those SABC corridors and
studios will NEVER hold such sparkle and personality again. Those corridors were once filled
with dynamic characters, moving from room to room, studio to studio, on-air and off-air talent
alike - perfecting their craft, weaving their magical charms for all of us to enjoy. It's gone! and all
we have are the memories. That was the way of a bygone era in broadcasting, which made
radio so special. That was...Springbok Radio.
MORE OF YOUR LETTERS TO FOLLOW / MEER VAN JULLE BRIEWE SAL VOLG
LETTERS / BRIEWE
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
