Louise Smit facts for kids

Louise Smit (born January 2, 1940) is a well-known South African writer of children's books. She is also famous for creating and directing many popular children's television shows and characters.

About Louise Smit

Louise Smit first studied teaching and then drama at the University of Stellenbosch. From 1964 to 1968, she did charity work in Malawi. There, she performed traditional folktales with local children. This even led to a weekly children's radio show in the Chichewa language.

When she returned to South Africa, she worked as a puppeteer at the Johannesburg Civic Theatre. Soon after, she joined the South African Broadcasting Corporation (SABC) as a programme director and creator. Her first shows, Haas Das se Nuuskas and Wielie Walie, became huge hits across the country. Haas Das se Nuuskas was even one of the first shows to be shown on South African television in 1975.

Louise Smit created many beloved shows. She wrote the first 200 episodes of Wielie Walie and 150 episodes of Haas Das se Nuuskas. She also created Pumpkin Patch (500 episodes), Kideo (1000 episodes), Mina Moo en Kie (150 episodes), Zap Mag, and Professor Fossilus en die Dinosourusse (26 episodes). She produced about 4000 programmes in seven different languages. Many people believe she has created more characters than almost anyone else in the world! She also created and directed shows in Zulu, Xhosa, Sotho, Pedi, and Tswana. Louise Smit also directed the first 26 episodes of Liewe Heksie, a show created by Verna Vels.

In 1980, Louise Smit started her own company, Louise Smit Productions. She built her own television studio, Kinnor Studios, in Johannesburg. She later sold it in 1998. She has one daughter and currently lives in Cologne, Germany.

Popular Children's Programmes

Here are some of the famous children's shows Louise Smit created:

• Haas Das se Nuuskas (in Afrikaans): This show features Haas Das, a rabbit with fancy ties who reads the news from Animal Land. Other characters include Piet Muis and Koning Leeu.
• Pumpkin Patch (in English): This series follows the adventures of a community in a small town. Characters include Woofles the security dog and the cousins Speckles and Freckles.
• Mina Moo & Co. (in Afrikaans and English): This show stars Mina Moo, a lovable cow, along with Bak en Terie (Bac and Teria), King Mick, and Micka.
• Professor Fossi en die Dinosourusse (in Afrikaans): A German scientist builds a time machine and travels back to visit the dinosaurs.
• Kideo (in English): This is a playroom-themed show with characters like Timothy Traddle (a tortoise) and Mr. Chinwag (a donkey).
• Wielie Walie (in Afrikaans): This very popular playroom series ran for 18 years! It features characters like Karel Kraai, Sarel Seemonster, Bytjie, Bennie Boekwurm, Wagga Wagga Kwag, and Meend die Eend.

Books by Louise Smit

Louise Smit is also a well-known author. She has published more than 25 books, including:

• Die Bybel vir Kinders/ The Bible for Children (1982/2002)
• Professor Fossilus en die dinosaurs (2004), with pictures by Marjorie van Heerden
• Haas Das se Nuuskas (2006), with pictures by Fred Mouton
• Haas Das raak weg! (2007), with pictures by Tanja Joubert
• Wielie Wielie Walie (2010), with pictures by Sean Verster

Awards and Recognition

Louise Smit has received many national and international awards for her amazing work:

• Seven Artes awards from SABC for best magazine and children's programmes.
• Two Star Tonight Awards for directing Liewe Heksie and for a series in Tswana called Kabarete ya Poone (Cabaret of the Mielies).
• Unima Award for her great contribution to puppetry in South Africa.
• M-Net Award for a children's programme called Eko-Boffins.
• Tokio International Television Prize (Japan Prize) in 1995 for Kideo, recognized as the most innovative programme.
• Prix de Jeunesse prize in Munich, 1996, where Kideo won third prize (Denmark was 1st, BBC 2nd, and Sesame Street 4th).
• ATKV Woordveertjie [1] for Bennie Boekwurm se Tonnelhuisie from NB-Publishers.
• South African Literary Award (SALA) for her lifetime achievements in writing and television.

See also

• Haas Das se Nuuskas
• Wielie Walie
• Liewe Heksie