by Thinus Ferreira
Toks van der Linde has abruptly quit as one of the longtime co-presenters of the long-running Toks & Tjops Afrikaans variety sports talk show on Friday nights on kykNET (DStv 144), saying he was stabbed in the back by the show's producer in an ugly behind the scenes fight, with the comedian Rikus de Beer apparently replacing him.
See also the Friday update below.
kykNET told TVwithThinus it wishes Toks van der Linde all the best and success and is thankful for his years of service.
It's unclear how the show's Toks & Tjops name will now change, or how co-presenters Janina Oberholzer and Breyten Paulse will be addressing his abrupt departure this Friday following his behind-the-scenes fight.
Toks & Tjops is produced by CSaw Media which is produced at Stark Studios in Johannesburg where the set shares space with other kykNET productions like Binnelanders and actuality programmes like kykNET Verslag and where its success over the past decade has been built on the rapport and friendly banter between the co-hosts and their Friday night guests which include sports stars and Afrikaans artists.
On social media Toks van der Linde wrote in Afrikaans that "I've decided to call it a day. 12 years were awesome but the last while trust broke down between Liebie and me. kykNET was amazing to me - thank you, thank you, thank you. So I'm done with Toks & Tjops. This is how you get to know people. Thanks for everyone's support over 12 years. Love you all lots."
Toks van der Linde wrote: "Sjoe, so you learn people with me for 12 years and then he stabs you in the back. New presenter is Radio Raps. Enjoy him you guys." He has since deleted the post.
Liebie is a reference to Toks & Tjops producer Liebie Opperman, producer of Toks & Tjops. Radio Raps is the comedian and singer Rikus de Beer, known as Jonathan of Radio Raps who did two seasons of Die Radio Raps Show on VIA (DStv 147) and MultiChoice's streaming service Showmax.
kykNET was also stunned and surprised to hear that Toks van der Linde has abruptly quit Toks & Tjops and is wishing him well after his exit.
"Toks & Tjops is since the Rugby World Cup in 2011 a popular and dependable show on kykNET. kykNET and the production company have been in discussions for months, including with the presenters on how the show will look in 2023, another World Cup year," Suzaan Keyter, kykNET spokesperson told TVwithThinus.
"Since the beginning, Toks was part of our plans for this exciting new season. He also agreed to be involved. We were therefore surprised to see that he had announced his resignation on Sunday on social media by announcing that he will no longer be a presenter on the show."
"We are thankful for Toks' years of passionate service and wish him all the best and success." kykNET didn't say what it makes of the conflict behind the scenes of the show, or when Rikus de Beer will join as new co-presenter.
Toks van der Linde is also currently a participant in the latest season of the Afrikaans fatbusters reality show Slank on kykNET, together with the Toks & Tjops braai chef Vaatjie (Tommy Dickson).
UPDATE Friday 28 October 2022 20:15:
On Friday night Janina Oberholzer was awkwardly left as the sole host of the show with both Breyton Paulse absent and with Toks van der Linde gone, without any explanation to viewers.
Toks & Tjops still opened with "Toks" in the title although titular presenter has quit the show, and Janina Oberholzer made absolutely no mention during the show open that Toks van der Linde has quit the show and will no longer be seen on the Friday night kykNET talk show after 12 years.
In the closing moments of Friday night's episode, Janina Oberholzer finally addressed the massive elephant in the room and said that media reports are true that Toks van der Linde has quit and is gone from the talk show.
"As you've seen in the media this week, tonight we can confirm the reports that Toks van der Linde had resigned as presenter of Toks & Tjops. For us it was a big shock, for fans it was a very big shock and we just want to say to Tokka thanks a lot for the past 12 years you've been with the programme."
"From the team, the crew, sponsors, the channel - we all just want to say thank you very, very much for 12 years, Toks. Best for your future plans and the next chapter. And we're going to miss you a lot here."
