Haas Das se Nuuskas

Haas Das se Nuuskas (Haas Das's News Box) was a weekly short television show in South Africa about a rabbit and a mouse running a news broadcast in Dierenland (Animal-land). Created by Louise Smit in 1976, at the time of television's introduction in South Africa, it was the first children's television programme in that country. The "news" typically revolved around all the animals' complaints, achievements, and scandals. The voice of Haas Das was performed by a real South African news anchorman, Riaan Cruywagen.

Characters

Puppets

Haas Das (news reader/anchorman) ("Haas Das" is Afrikaans for "Hare Tie". The character is a hare wearing a tie.)
Piet Muis (assistant and weather forecaster) ("Muis" is Afrikaans for "mouse".)

Animated characters

Koning Leeu (King Lion)
Skriba Sekretarisvoel (Skriba Secretarybird)
Skillie Skilpad (Skillie Tortoise)
Grootoom Flapoor Olifant (Great-uncle Flap-ear Elephant)
Moeder Raaf (Mother Raven)
Oupa Dassie (Grandpa Dassie)
Krokkie Krokodil (Krokkie Crocodile)
Bettina Bobbejaan (Bettina Baboon)
Bakkies Bobbejaan (Bakkies Baboon)
Wildebees (Wildebeest)
Tienie Ratel (Tienie Badger)
Bella Bokooi (Bella Goat)
Droster Renoster (Droster Rhinoceros)
Floris Volstruis (Floris Ostrich)
Spiekeries Springbok
Dr. Krap (Dr. Crab)
Martin Miskruier
Vlossie Mossie
Hasie Kwassie

Creative team

Creator: Louise Smit
Writer: Louise Smit
Channel: Sauk/SABC
Voice Talents:- Riaan Cruywagen
Original Puppet Builder: Alida Von Maltitz
Theme Song: Gert Van Tonder

Revival

The show as redone as a movie in 2007 and released by Sony BMG. Just like Wielie Walie, it was the first of Louise Smit's original creations to be redone. Haas Das hou konsert (Haas Das holds a concert),a movie, was all about Koning Leeu (King Lion) having a terrible headache from all the animals' complaints, and Haas Das organising a concert in his honour to make him feel better. All of the original animated characters were recreated as puppets for this production, and even a few new characters were added, like Boeboe Bobbejaan (Boeboe Babboon) and Stinkie Muishond (Stinky Skunk). The new puppets were designed and made by Althea Oelofse. Riaan Cruywagen also returned as voice talent. Gert Van Tonder also makes a guest appearance.

New voice cast

Haas Das: Riaan Cruywagen

Piet Muis: Jan Wolmarans (speaking), Annaretha Naude (singing)

Koning Leeu: Rouel Beukes

Grootoom Flapoor Olifant: Nic De Jager

Bettina Bobbejaan: Annaretha Naude

BoeBoe Bobbejaan: Dulinda Pieters

Bakkies Bobbejaan: Dulinda Pieters

Kleinstinkie Muishond: Verna Vels

Moeder Raaf: Nic De Jager (speaking), Riana van Vollenhoven (singing)

Books

Louise Smit has written two Haas Das books: Haas Das se Nuuskas (2006), illustrated by Fred Mouton, and Haas Das raak weg (2008), illustrated by Tanja Joubert. Both are published by Human & Rousseau.