"MATT & DAVE'S - MELODIES FOR MARCO"
With all the talk in the media around Afrikaans as a language at teriary institutions and whether or not it is in fact dying - it made me think back to when I was growing up. I would only watch shows that were in Afrikaans - that is all the SABC (SAUK) had. One of those shows was Liewe Heksie! I can't remember too much about each episode, but all I know is that I enjoyed watching it and probably greatly contributed to my passing Afrikaans in matric. Not too close on the detail about where Afrikaans is at and where it is going - so I cannot really contribute. What I can say is that I do enjoy the language and I think it is most certainly the most expressive...especially when using profanity. I think you would agree!
Back to Liewe Heksie.
Initially I did not think it, but upon further research - Liewe Heksie is still alive and kicking - and she lives on FACEBOOK - check her out: www.facebook.com/people/Liewe-Heksie
So in light of the Afrikaan debate and remembering the simple past - this is a tribute to that nostalgic-gothic-yet-cute local_tv brand.
Below is an excerpt from VUYA! Pagan Daily News
Do you remeber Liewe Heksie? I never read the books, but was delighted with the program - the funny little puppets, her skew hat, and her really doff and slow speach. Can you pick out the magical forumulas in the story's makeup? I've copied a piece from Wiki to help out... have fun... Wiki says:
Liewe Heksie
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia.
Liewe Heksie is a fictional character created by Afrikaans children’s books author, Verna Vels. She is a rather incompetent witch who lives with her friends the elves in Blommeland (“Flower Land”). Her stupidity and lack of magical skill leads to many comic situations in the stories.
Her best friends are the elf Blommie (“Little Flower”), her kitten Matewis and the sophisticated Karel Kat, an anthropomorphic cat from the city. Other characters include the magical horse Griet, Koning Rosekrans (“King Rose Crown”) who rules Blommeland, and Kwaaitjie, a bad-tempered elf who is not very fond of Heksie and does not want her to stay in Blommeland.
There is also the evil Geel Heks (“Yellow Witch”), who with her minions, the Gifappeltjies (“Poison Apples”), is constantly trying to take over Blommeland. Blommeland is protected by the Silwer Roos (“silver rose”) which stands under guard in the palace. On a number of occasions the Gifappeltjies and the Geel Heks try to steal the Silwer Roos to take it to their land. Should they succeed all the other flowers in Blommeland would leave too, and the beautiful land of the elves would become dry and barren. However, on each of these occasions Liewe Heksie manages to save the day (albeit accidentally) and is hailed as a heroine.
The Liewe Heksie series consisted of a number of books. It was also dramatised on the Afrikaans radio station and made into a popular television programme with marionettes.
Retrieved from " http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Liewe_Heksie
Source: VUYA! Pagan Daily News http://www.vuya.net/?q=node/573
