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| South African Old-Time Radio Regional South African Radio Services RADIO HIGHVELD LETTERS FROM FRANK HALFORTY |
| Welcome to the “LETTERS FROM FRANK HALFORTY” webpage of The Pumamouse Website. The following essay/letter is actually a compilation of excerpts taken from emails to The Pumamouse from Mr. Frank Halforty. The emails were received during September and October 2004, and this compilation is included here with Mr. Halforty's knowledge and consent. Thank you, Frank! |
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| Hello MaryAnne, Having been an a broadcaster for Highveld Stereo and Jacaranda Stereo, I just got to hear of your Pumamouse - I am homesick already. I am living in Golden (Colorado), and am in contact with Dorianne Berry, an old school friend and broadcasting colleague - also the first female TV personality when it started. ( She is living in Seattle.) I believe that Colin Fluxman is now living in California too. (I spoke with him soon after his arrival there via Dorianne.) I just feel so homesick - read part of your web page - and having been an officer in the SANDF - the colours used for the 'Biltong & Braaivleis' brought a lump to my throat. Of course when I heard "Die Stem"- well I just let fall a sad tear, remembering when I stood to attention and saluted the flag! Regarding my radio career, I was a full time broadcaster for Highveld Stereo, doing the afternoon session from 4pm to 7.30 each weekday. This included English news bulletins on the half-hour each hour (3.30, 5.30 and 7.30). Then there were traffic reports from the Highveld helicopter every 15 minutes between 4.15 and 6.00. There was also a weather report live from the weather bureau in Pretoria. I did this for about 2 1/2 years. It was during this time that I had the pleasure of meeting personalities like Pat Boone, Rod McCuen, and Cliff Richard, the English pop idol. Needless to say this was a most enjoyable time in my career. Sadly, because of financial reasons, I left broadcasting for a year. (At the time, if you left the SABC, you were not allowed to do any broadcasting for a 12 month period.) It was during this period that I got to know, amongst others, Michael Hobbs, Neville Dawson, Evie Martin, John Berks, Colin Fluxman and renewed friendship with Dorianne Berry (as mentioned she and I were at High school together). It was after a 2 year period in sales training, that I joined the freelance staff on Highveld. While I was in the SA Air Force, I did this free lance work over week ends (Sundays) from 8.30 to 12.30, doing general continuity and English news bulletins. I was involved with Forces 2000 for a period of 2 1/2 years, presenting, interviewing and editing inserts. My last 6 years in the SANDF were, at the SANDF College of Educational Technology, where I headed up the Audio Visual Dept. producing training videos for all arms of Service. Some of the persons I worked with at Highveld were, the late Rocco Erasmus, Robin Alexander, Evie Martin, Ben Theunnisen, Piettie Lotriet, Laura De Kok, Reg de Beer, and the late Dana Niehaus, who used to read Afrikaans news as did Paul Eilers to name some of that great team of broadcasters. I did mention that I also worked with Colin Fluxman and knew Dorriane from schooldays. (She and I appeared in a couple of high school play productions at the Nigel High School.) During my period with Forces 2000, I did interviews with Lt. General George Meiring, who was Chief of the SADF at the time. I also did an interview with the soon to be Chief Lt. General Sepiwe Nyanda. Joe Modise and Ronnie Caserils were also interviewed and these were broadcast on the familiar slot on Fridays at lunchtime. Regards, Frank Halforty |