Matthys Gerhardus Smith Explained

Topsy Smith
Birth Name:	Matthys Gerhardus Smith
Birth Date:	12 July 1914
Birth Place:	Parys, Free State, South Africa
Nationality:	South African
Spouse:	Josie Stuart-Bertram
Children:	2
Alma Mater:	Stellenbosch University, University of Pretoria
Known For:	Youth fiction writer
Footnotes:	Nom de plume is Bettie Naude
Occupation:	Principle of Primary school in Johannesburg

Matthys Gerhardus Smith (1914-1985) was a South African fiction writer, mostly known for youth literature. He has written mainly under the nom de plumes “Topsy Smith” and “Bettie Naude”.

Roots and private life

He was born in Parys, Free State, South Africa, on 12 July 1914.^[1] He was the son of Matthys Gerhardus Smith and Elizabeth Catharina Naude. He married Josie Stuart-Bertram. They had 2 children. He died on 5 March 1985.^[2]

Education and work

Smith obtained a BA degree at University of Stellenbosch and later a Higher Diploma in Education at the University of Pretoria. He was a teacher and retired as principal of Sandringham Primary in Johannesburg.^[3]

Writer

^[4]

• Smith is best known for writing youth series. Trompie and Saartjie books are his bestsellers. The first series is called Trompie and the second the Saartjie. In the Trompie series (Trompie is the name of a schoolboy) 33 books were published. This was done between 1950 and 1970.^{[5] [6]} A movie was made from the Trompie books.(1975) André Laubscher played the main character in the film. Anton Goosen sang the theme song. The Saartjie series (Saartjie is the name of a schoolgirl) 24 books were published. He wrote this under his mother's name Bettie Naude. This was written between 1953 and 1958.^{[7] [8]} A television series was made from these books in 1989, with Annie Malan playing Saartjie.
• Apart from the above series he also wrote the following series in Afrikaans:

- Bosapies van Bergville (translated: Apes from the bush from Bergville) – Twelve books (1958-1959)^[9]

- Hendrik Hoffman– Six books (1959-1960)^[10]

- Louws van Linton (translated Louws from Linton) –Eight books (1960-1964)^[11]

- Gampietjie –Five books (1963-1964)^[12]

- Jantjie – Six books (1963-1967)^[13]

• He also wrote in English, two series of books

- Nicky – four books (1958)^[14]

- Leon –four books (1963-1969)^[15]

• Adult fiction – This he wrote under the name M.G. Smith in Afrikaans

- Juffrou Jackie se man (1970) (translated: Miss Jackkie's husband) ^[16]

- Die ontluiking van tant Matilda (1971) (translated: Aunt Matilda's change) ^[17]

- Blonde godin (1980) (translated: Blonde goddess)^[18]

• Non-fiction

- Ons Springbok-rugbyspelers en Tokkelossie (1946) (translated: Our Springbok rugby players and the spirit of our forefathers)^[19]

- Atlete van Springbokland (1950)(translated: Athletes from South Africa ^[20]

Notes and References

1. Web site: Topsy Smith. 7 August 2018.
2. Web site: TROMPIE en die Boksombende. SA Promo Magazine.
3. Web site: (Afrikaans)Trompie en Saartjie (translated Trompie and Saartjie). 8 August 2018.
4. Web site: Topsy Smith.
5. Web site: Author focus. Human and Rossseau. 8 August 2018.
6. Web site: Trompie. 8 August 2018. World Cat identities.
7. Web site: Bettie Naude. 8 August 2018. NB Publishers.
8. Web site: Naude Bettie. 8 August 2018. OCLC .
9. Web site: Bosapies van Bergville. 18 May 2024 . 4 August 2018. Afrikaanse persboekhandel.
10. Web site: Hendrik Hofmann. 18 May 1960 . 8 August 2018 . Afrikaanse pers.
11. Web site: Die Louws van Linton. 8 August 2018. Smith. Topsy. 18 May 1960.
12. Web site: Gampietjie. 18 May 1963 . 8 August 2018. Afrikaanse pers boekhandel.
13. Web site: Jantjie. 18 May 1963 . 7 August 2018. Nasionale Boekhandel.
14. Web site: Nicky. 18 May 2024 . 6 August 2018. Afrikaanse pers boekhandel.
15. Book: Leon. 18 May 1964 . 1 August 2018 . Nasionale boekhandel. 978-0-624-00595-7 .
16. Web site: Juffrou Jackie se man. Dagbreek-boekkring. 1970.
17. Web site: Die ontluiking van tant Matilda. Dagbreek-boekkring. 1971.
18. Book: Blonde Godin . Daan Retief. 9780868141183 . 1980.
19. Web site: Ons Springbok-rugbyspelers en Tokkelossie. Brailledienste . 1946.
20. Web site: Atlete van Springbokland. Afrikaanse Pers-Boekhandel .