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

Topsy Smith
Personal details
Born	Matthys Gerhardus Smith (1914-07-12)July 12, 1914 Parys, Free State, South Africa
Died	March 5, 1985(1985-03-05) (aged 70)
Spouse	Josie Stuart-Bertram
Children	2
Alma mater	Stellenbosch University, University of Pretoria
Known for	Youth fiction writer
Nom de plume is 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]

References

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