SABC2 goes to space with the new Afrikaans science fiction comedy series, Die Vlieënde Springbokkie, as hapless crew tries to reach B Earth.

Decades since the Mielie Malie Maantuig, the South African public broadcaster is venturing back to space with the science fiction comedy series Die Vlieënde Springbokkie starting on SABC2 on Monday evening at 19:00 following a group of South Africans  leaving Earth to travel to a new world.

Die Vlieënde Springbokkie, produced by Urban Brew Studios and filmed at its new Randburg complex in Johannesburg, stars actors like Antoinette Kellerman as onboard scientist Pat and David Isaacs as Commander Mak in crew member roles.

The on-board computer called Oom ("Uncle") is voiced by the legendary Afrikaans news anchor Riaan Cruywagen who returned to his first voice acting role in a TV series since he was the voice of Haas Das in the start-up years of SABC television.

The show's title of Die Vlieënde Springbokkie is also the name of the ship on which the crew, including Nikolai Mynhardt as Mossie, Thandi Puren as Captain FJ, Wesley Lauder as Doctor Farrell and Liza Scholtz as thecaptain's daughter Lisa are all travelling to B Aarde (B-Earth). Doreen Morris also pops up in the role of the current black female president.

In the comedy series, it's the year 2068 and the South African Airways (SAA) - still in existence in the science fiction show - had donated its scrap to help create Die Vlieënde Springbokkie to take cryogenically frozen celebrities B Aarde to escape the over-populated and polluted planet.

Due to technical problems however, the crew becomes lost in space and struggle to try and keep their ship going while maintaining their "popularity with the viewing public back home".

"In some ways they're a microcosm of South Africa: a theatre of politics," says SABC2.

SABC2 didn't do set visits fir the press for Die Vlieënde Springbokkie and very little publicity material is available, but according to a few of the episode synopsis available in the first episode the crew will be "threatened by space debris" in this comedy of errors.

The second episode deal with a mutiny of sorts against the captain, preparations are made for a visit from the president, and in the 4th episode there's computer troubles when Oom refuses to let astro-pilot Mossie fly the ship.

Veteran Afrikaans TV news reader Riaan Cruywagen quietly exits kykNET as anchor of kykNET Verslag.

The veteran Afrikaans TV news anchor Riaan Cruywagen (72) made a quiet exit on Thursday night as news anchor on kykNET Verslag on kykNET (DStv 144) bringing the curtain to a final close on his illustrious TV news reading career after more than four decades on the air on South African television.

With no pre-announcement to the press by kykNET of his exit, Riaan Cruywagen stunned viewers on the eve of the Easter holiday at the end of Thursday night's episode of kykNET Verslag when he told viewers he's leaving.

After leaving the SABC at the end of November 2012 after 37 years with the South African public broadcaster as the longest serving TV news anchor in South African television history, the never changing Riaan Cruywagen made the transition to high definition and joined kykNET from February 2013.

At kykNET he first anchored the news on the morning show Dagbreek, before transitioning to the evenings on M-Net's Afrikaans TV channel on MultiChoice's DStv satellite pay-TV platform for the past three years, after Dagbreek was cancelled.

"I'm also finally saying goodbye tonight after more than five wonderful years - first at Dagbreek and after that at kykNET Verslag," said Riaan Cruywagen at the end of the third season and episode 140 of kykNET Verslag.

"I'm now swapping the world of hard news and actuality for other TV work and new challenges but not without saying thank you to kykNET for the opportunity to broaden my horizons on this exceptional channel."

"I've worked with tens of creative and inspiring people, as well as at kykNET and with the producers of our programme, IdeaCandy - and in my old days I've learnt a lot from them. If I can mention only a few names - because there's tens of them - I'm saying thank you very much to Karen Meiring (kykNET channel head) and Tim du Plessis (head of actuality) of kykNET and Wim Steyn (executive producer) and Wynette Theart (producer) van IdeaCandy and their personnel."

"The most unsung mainstays were our studio crew without which no programme can ever make it onto the air - my director Rudi Botha and his team and my editor Werner Swart and his able journalists."

"But finally, to you, our appreciated viewers, thank you for your dedicated support over the years. I wish you all of the best. Well, enjoy the long weekend and go well."


kykNET in response to a media enquiry as to why there was no announcement to the media, told TVwithThinus that the channel took Cruywagen's direction about how he wanted to communicate his exit and up until Thursday morning he didn't want to involve the media.

kykNET says Riaan Cruywagen will remain as the presenter of Met 'n Huppel in die Stap, kykNET's Afrikaans magazine show focusing on the challenges, joys and life advice for people after 50.

kykNET produced a short tribute goodbye video in which his family including his wife, daughter and grandson, as well as other Afrikaans TV news readers like Marietta Kruger and Suzaan Steyn, shared special messages.

Riaan Cruywagen returning to television as a news reader for the morning breakfast show Dagbreek on kykNET.

Riaan Cruywagen is returning to television as a Afrikaans news reader for Dagbreek on kykNET (DStv 144) the morning breakfast show announced today.

Riaan Cruywagen retired from the SABC and as Afrikaans news reader on SABC2 and the Nuus om 7 in November 2012 after 37 years nd read his last news bulletin on the channel on 26 November.

Riaan Cruywagen will now be joining Dagbreek in a new deal starting on Monday 4 February.

BREAKING. Riaan Cruywagen signs off with a simple goodbye and hand salute after 37 years on TV: 'For me it was an exceptional privilege.'

With a simple hand salute and goodbye wave, a visibly slightly emotional Riaan Cruywagen - after 37 years the longest continuing presence on South African television and on TV news - signed off and said goodbye to millions of viewers on SABC2 at 19:00 during the Nuus om 7.

"My task is completed. Tonight, exactly 37 years after reading my first TV news bulletin, I'm retiring," said the dapper newsman, dressed in a black pinstripe suit with a red-and-white striped tie and matching red hankerchief; his hair as perfectly coiffed as ever.

"My heartfelt  appreciation goes to the Afrikaans news editorial staffs whom, over the decades, I've been privileged to work with - in the most recent times my bulletin editors Sandy Macdonald and Monica Ribbons, my executive director Kenneth Makatees and my pillar-of-support boss, Jimi Matthews."

"You know, TV news is a massive team effort, and I was just the ears of the hippo which stuck out. To you, the TV news viewers, thank you that you, over so many years, allowed me into your homes. For me it was an exceptional privilege."

"And when I look back, it was all just grace. For the very last time, goodbye. Good day," he said as the venerable newsman lifted his right hand and made a goodbye wave and hand salute to viewers."

ALSO READ: SABC executives, news and channel bosses and colleagues honour Riaan Cruywagen and bid him farewell.

ALSO READ: SABC2 fails to communicate a single word in advance about a sudden one hour TV special paying tribute to Riaan Cruywagen.

ALSO READ: Is Riaan Cruywagen's next chapter to drop trou and read the news for Naked News on television?

ALSO READ: Riaan Cruywagen, in cartoon form, signing off after 37 years of doing South African television news.

ALSO READ: Riaan Cruywagen - a tribute.

BREAKING. SABC executives, news and channel bosses and colleagues honour Riaan Cruywagen and bid him farewell.

SABC executives, SABC news bosses, channel bosses and colleagues honoured the venerable SABC news reader Riaan Cruywagen today.

Riaan Cruywagen attended a special brunch this morning in Sandton to thank him for this decades long contribution and to bid him farewell.

Riaan Cruywagen read his final news bulletin this evening on SABC2 in the Nuus om 7, ending his illustrious career as the person holding an unequaled and unrivaled record as the South African TV personality who've been on television the longest.

He read his last bulletin exactly 37 years after he first started in 1976 with the advent of television news in South Africa.

At the farewell brunch (which South Africa's national TV critics and journalists who cover television based outside of Johannesburg were not bothered to be told of, nor been invited to) the SABC presented Riaan Cruywagen with a special plaque.

Prof. Pippa Green, SABC board member said: "Riaan thank you for all of your years of loyalty, support and service to a public broadcaster which is not always the easiest place to be but is probably one of the most important places."

Hlaudi Motsoeneng, the SABC's acting chief operating officer (COO) said: "I think you have done a wonderful job for the SABC. The way you dress, the way you talk to people - you're a human being. You lead by example."

Jimi Matthews, the acting head of news and current affairs at the SABC said: "I think the Afrikaans community must be quite 'change fatigued'. If you think of how the country has changed in the last 20 years. But the one thing which has remained constant - one thing significant thing that's remained constant in their lives is Riaan Cruywagen. They know that when they switch on the TV to watch the news, there is Riaan Cruywagen to assure them that everything is fine. And now we're going to have to get used to South African television news without Riaan Cruywagen. And it's quite a strange notion; quite a strange feeling actually."

"His contribution to broadcasting, not only to the SABC, but to broadcasting in general has been immense. Riaan's legacy is the news room will always be his commitment to his craft, his dedication, his professionalism. And for me I think it was a huge honour to work alongside someone like Riaan," said Jimi Matthews.

Kenneth Makatees, the executive director for Afrikaans TV news on SABC2 said: "Riaan is one of those South Africans who really crossed borders in this country."

Sandy Macdonald, the editor for Afrikaans TV news on SABC2 said: "I think he played an enormous role to make Afrikaans cool again."

Peet van Staden, the executive producer for Afrikaans TV news on SABC2 said: "He has the exceptional capacity to remain calm under pressure, maybe more so than anybody else. He also has the ability to laugh and to be freaked out."

Bessie Tugwana, SABC2 channel head, said: "For SABC2 I want to express our pride and profound gratitude that he has stayed this long. And not just staying long, he has brought professionalism to the news reading and some kind of believability."

"As you know there are three bulletins at 19:00, every day except weekends. Those bulletins are English on SABC3, English on e.tv, but the Afrikaans bulletin has always attracted more audiences. That for us is testimony that he sustained that in his community. I think as a channel he has also given the channel, the brand SABC2, credibility," said Bessie Tugwana.

Chriselda Lewis, SABC TV reporter said: "Riaan keeps looking the same way that he did so many yers ago. I still need to find out how he achieved that. He doesn't have any gray hair. When you try and look for wrinkles on his face you can barely find them."

"He appeals to so many people across the colour line," said Chriselda Lewis. "That is just amazing."

"I always remained a career broadcaster," said Riaan Cruywagen at the brunch. "No matter who was in charge of government or at the SABC, I remained true to my profession and nothing else. I never became involved in politics - neither external nor internal - and I made it my duty to present the news in an unbiased, non-partisan and objective, credible and authoritative way."

"Tonight, after 37 years, I say goodbye to South Africa. I have really mixed feelings. I'll miss the news reader  role I've fulfilled for so many years, very much. But I have the greatest and indescribable appreciation for the kindness so many viewers allowed me to bring the news every evening into their living rooms. Over the past few weeks I have received hundreds of emails from viewers wishing me the very best with my retirement."

I want to remind viewers that nobody's perfect; nobody's irreplaceable. I'd appreciate it immensely if you'd give my successors and my colleagues who are currently still there, Karlien and Terence, all the support you gave me. Let's work together as South Africa's to make this beautiful country of ours the best in the world," said Riaan Cruywagen.

ALSO READ: Riaan Cruywagen signs off with a simple goodbye and a hand salute after 37 years on television: 'For me it was an exceptional privilege.'

ALSO READ: SABC2 fails to communicate a single word in advance about a sudden one hour TV special paying tribute to Riaan Cruywagen.

ALSO READ: Is Riaan Cruywagen's next chapter to drop trou and read the news for Naked News on television?

ALSO READ: Riaan Cruywagen, in cartoon form, signing off after 37 years of doing South African television news.

ALSO READ: Riaan Cruywagen - a tribute.

FUNNY. Is Riaan Cruywagen's next chapter to drop trou and read the news for Naked News on television?

All TV personalities have a next chapter when they finish one thing and move on to the next - just ask Oprah.

So, where will Riaan Cruywagen pop up next after the venerable news man signed off earlier this evening on SABC2 reading his very last news bulletin exactly 37 years after he started on South African television?

Well, since e.tv introduced South Africa to Naked News - news readers who drop the clothes as they bring you breaking news about conflict in Iraq - could be an option. Riaan Cruywagen, always impeccably groomed and coiffed might consider showing South African TV viewers now a whole other side to him.


ALSO READ: Riaan Cruywagen, in cartoon form, signing off after 37 years as a news reader on South African television.

Riaan Cruywagen in cartoon form, signing off after 37 years on South African television.

The South African cartoonist Jerm (Jeremy) (check out his work at http://jerm.co.za) drew this beautifully poignant cartoon about the iconic South African TV news reader Riaan Cruywagen who signed off this evening and read his very last news bulletin on SABC2 exactly 37 years to the day after he started.

Jerm cleverly incorporated the (old) television test pattern into the cartoon to signify the legacy and historical aspect of it all (and of television in South Africa).

He also added another of Riaan Cruywagen's indelible characteristics: his rusty brown hair which in nearly four decades on television never changed.

TERRIBLE! How bad is SABC2? So bad that it can't communicate a word in advance about a sudden hour long Riaan Cruywagen tribute special.

This is terribly bad: SABC2's lack of communication is shockingly abysmal about a special hour long TV tribute to Riaan Cruywagen which is suddenly following the legendary SABC news readers final bulletin on SABC2 on Monday night.

Fluit Fluit My Storie is Uit, an hour long retrospective TV documentary about Riaan Cruywagen is on SABC2 - but viewers won't know it because nobody was even told.

SABC2 didn't make any attempt to communicate a single word about the reflective and beautiful documentary with Tshegofatso Selahle as director and producer.

"I feel like viewers have been robbed," a furious South African TV critic immediately messaged me who is also flabbergasted to discover the sudden TV special. This TV critic is definitely not the only one.

Riaan Cruywagen read his final TV news bulletin on SABC2 this evening at 19:00 after exactly 27 years - with the news bulletin suddenly and inexplicably followed by the hour long Fluit Fluit My Storie is Uit special.

What a massive failure on the part of SABC2. Hopefully the special will be rebroadcast at some stage, and hopefully SABC2 will communicate that ahead of time.

Maria Wallis did a sterling job putting together a retrospective news story at the tail end of the Nuus om 7 this evening on SABC2 which media observers would have expected to be in, and make the bulletin this evening. It was thoughtful, comprehensive without being boring, and extremely well edited and encapsulated a fitting "farewell" news story from the SABC about Riaan Cruywagen.

 Likewise the SABC2 special hour long documentary Fluit Fluit My Storie is Uit was also must-see television. If only somebody - anybody - at the SABC actually bothered to tell TV critics to tell people to watch that as well.

GOODBYE.

In what will surely deliver massive ratings and viewership for SABC2 tonight, Riaan Cruywagen, the longest serving face of television news in South Africa - in fact the longest continous presence and presenter in all of South African television - will be taking his bow and sign off when he reads his very last news bulletin this evening at 19:00 on SABC2 in the Nuus om 7 after exactly 37 years.

It's not impossibly, but extremely unlikely that his incredibly impressive feat will ever be matched again in South African television.

Riaan Cruywagen has been on South African television for 37 years, reading news for 37 years and has been a consistent presence in South African TV households - unlikely to ever be duplicated by anyone else in an ever-incresingly fragmented TV channelverse and where one-day fly TV faces and personalities have a sell-by date which incrementally keeps shrinking year by year.

Goodbye, Riaan Cruywagen. Thank you for being an anchor South Africa turned to during highly tumultuous decades of South Africa's modern history - when during periods of massive political upheaval and changes, viewers felt a sense of assurance that even though the world was fast-changing, everything would seem to be alright because the news reader remain stoically solid and the same.

And even as South Africa's public broadcaster swept through various regime changes, crises bringing it to the brink of financial collapse and scandal after scandal as years roll by, Riaan Cruywagen's ever-present presence as a TV news monolith made even the SABC seem more unshakeable that what it maybe is.

The news will carry on as sure as calendar pages and news diaries turn the page to forever plan for tomorrow. But there will never again be a Riaan Cruywagen on the SABC or in all of South African television for that matter.

As a newsman for all seasons sets sail into the TV sunset, South Africa and the local TV biz looks on in thankfulness, with a smile, and with wonder.

BREAKING. Riaan Cruywagen retiring after 37 years; will read his last TV news bulletin on 26 November at 19:00 on SABC2.

Riaan Cruywagen (67), the iconic South African news reader and longest serving presenter and face on South African television and news reader is retiring - he will be reading his very last news bulletin on television on 26 November at 19:00 on SABC2 exactly 37 years after he first did so on 26 November 1975 on Nuus om 7.

The veteran Afrikaans news man who's autobiography appeared earlier this year, told the SABC that he wants to retire - a decision Riaan Cruywagen says he didn't take lightly.

Over the past 37 years Riaan Cruywagen anchored more than 7 000 TV news bulletins, and spent thousands of nights at work during his storied television broadcasting career spanning television but also radio.

"I have served the entire South African public to the very best of my ability as a TV newscaster during the past 37 years," says Riaan Cruywagen.

"My decision was not taken lightly.As a professional career broadcaster I always remained loyal to the SABC, irrespective of who was in charge. I have spent 47 wonderful and unforgettable years at the SABC, the first ten years of which as a radio announcer, and will always remain extremely grateful to the corporation for having given me the opportunity to follow a most satisfying career in broadcasting, my first love and passion."

He read his very first TV news bulletin on 26 November 1975, during the SABC's test transmission period of TV1. Now the SABC has allowed him, after he asked, if he could read the news on television in Afrikaans for the last time exactly 37 years to the day, on 26 November 2012.

"Riaan has throughout the years been a valued member of our news team. He has contributed immensely to the success of our Afrikaans news. We are quite fortunate to have had a man of his calibre serve us loyally for the past 47 years. We wish him well in all his future endeavours," says Jimi Matthews, the acting head of news and current affairs at the SABC in a press statement.

TV stars share their Christmas wishes.

I asked a few local TV stars how they will be spending Christmas day tomorrow, and for their special Christmas wishes.

''Christmas day I will be spending with my parents in Cape Town. They will be coming over to my place and it's always a big responsibility. The stres will be high in the kitchen, but like everything else I'll get through it. I had such a crazy year. I don't want anything for Christmas - I think I already have everything. To have the people you love with you is all that is important on Christmas. For readers I want to say everything that is good and great and love. Enjoy the day with your family and for those not with family, be with your friends, because they're your family too.''
- Tammy-Anne Fortuin, All Access presenter on M-Net

''It remains a tradition to spend Christmas time at home. This year were privileged to have my mother in law from Europe here to visit us and on Christmas Eve we will have a family dinner at my brother in law. On Christmas morning I will be playing the organ at church after which we will throw some meat on the coals and swim with my two year old grandson in the swimming pool. A new Mercedez-Benz would be welcome (a guy can dream can't he!), but I think we all share a wish that crime, poverty and unemployment will end. It's my hearts wish that all South Africans will treat each other with respect which will make South Africa an even more beautiful country.''
- Riaan Cruywagen, SABC2 news reader

''On Christmas day my wife Christi and I will be spending the day with family in Gauteng. Most people jet off to Cape Town but we flew to Gauteng. I think 2009 was a long and a tough year, so for me the biggest gift is to just have some time off to rest. My biggest wish is for the children of South Africa and the children who might not get a gift tomorrow, or might not be sitting around a tree, or might not have a warm meal. I want every child to know that they are precious and wonderful and matter, because Christmas is about children.''
- Nico Panagio, Survivor SA host on M-Net

''I'm with my family in Cape Town with my mom who turned 80 this year and with my children and my brothers - also my brother visiting from London, the one who plays in Kumars. We are going to have a delicious family feat, also with friends. My biggest wish is for peace and joy in this country. And that crime will go down - we're all tired of crime now.''

- Vinette Ebrahim, Charmaine in 7de Laan on SABC2

''Christmas day we will be spending as a family. We're on holiday at the south coast and it's all about family. My wish for people is that they will carry and remember the message of Christmas in their hearts and will remember why we're really celebrating Christmas when they gather around the Christmas tree.''

- Michael Mol, Top Billing presenter on SABC3

''On Christmas day we will have a massive Italian feast cooked by me. I'm actually a very good cook I'll have you know! It will be in our garden and the whole family will be there. It's what we do every year. My wish is for a new kitchen and then also to climb Mount Kilimanjaro. I hope to do that this year. My wish for South Africa for 2010 is for more jobs and that we can leave the recession behind us and just less poverty in our country.''
- Debora Patta, 3rd Degree presenter on e.tv