Before the South African Broadcasting Corporation (SABC) launched the name "Springbok Radio" in 1950 for the new commercial radio service, public opinion was consulted. Taking a typical cross-section of listeners, views were sought on the suitability of this name. About 70% of the comments were favourable. Opinions such as, “Typical South African”, “Very good, we are all Springboks in this country”, “Can’t imagine anything better...synonymous with South Africa”, and “Bilingual, the word 'Springbok' is said the same way in both Afrikaans & English”, were expressed.
Unfavourable comments stressed the point that the term "Springbok" might be considered overdone, but that, after all, this is a typical South African name for a national radio system.
The question asked is, where did the name Springbok Radio come from? Prior to the launch of Springbok Radio on 1 May 1950, it was known as the “C” programme.
In those years, the SABC had 2 services: A-programme for English listeners and B-programme for the Afrikaans service.
The name "Springbok Radio" was suggested by Mr. Paul Roos, Springbok Rugby captain in the 1920’s. He was the famous father of the then Director General of the SABC, Mr. Gideon Roos.
The Springbok emblem was South Africa’s traditional emblem back then. Today in South Africa, the Springbok emblem is seen as a symbol of the past, associated with the previous all-white governments and national Sport bodies. During both World Wars, the South African forces were known as Springboks, the national sports teams were Springboks, and the emblem displayed a jumping Springbok, with the colours green and gold forming the background. In South Africa today, the national flower, the Protea, is used as the emblem that replaced the Springbok, and although it is a symbol not associated with politics, who will ever forget the old Springbok...the Springbok emblem that stood for Springbok Radio, the station for brighter broadcasting.
Frans Erasmus
Johannesburg, South Africa
February 2002 |
