J. F. Spies
Home Four unpublished poems: Die Aapkonsert Rintie se droom Skeur Skeur Skeur Cecile van Staden
Painting by Jill Adams
J F Spies
Author of children's verses and school anthems
Joachim (Joggie) Frederik Spies was born on 28 February, 1911, as the second of five sons.
He studied at Stellenbosch University (BA 1943) to become a teacher. He was the headmaster of the Primary School in Harrismith and of the Central Primary School in Bloemfontein. From 1966 to 1976 he was Inspector of Education in the Freestate. He wrote the libretto of several school anthems for schools in the Freestate and Western Cape. He also wrote the libretto of the anthem of the University of Port Elizabeth.
He was very fond of children and started writing nursery rhymes after the birth of his first grandchild. His first book of children's verses, dedicated to his two eldest grandchildren, Johan and Corlie de Kock, Fliefla Siembamba was published in 1979. In later years he also wrote poems for his other grandchildren, Annemarie de Kock, Christiaan and Natasha Wood. His work was included in D. J. Opperman's Kleuterverseboek and in Linda Rode's Goue Lint, My Storie Begint and Sonroepertjies.
A new book of his verses Toepa toepa towery with illustrations by Piet Grobler was published at Protea Boekhuis, 2003.
Joggie Spies was married to Cornelia Jacoba (Babsie) de Jager. They moved to Stellenbosch after Joggie's retirement, where he lived from 1976 till 1991. They had three daughters, Lina Spies, Elmien Wood and Cornelia de Kock. He was the older brother of the journalist, Johan Spies.
Joggie Spies died on 11 April 2000, at Bellville.
"I loved my father dearly and inherited my poetic talent from him."
Four unpublished poems:
Klein Ammie sien mos nou die dag
hoe apies in die berg baljaar:
hul speel en dans en skaterlag
en bind hul sterte aanmekaar!
Die leier speel op sy kitaar,
hy hou dit liggies op sy skoot,
en tower klank uit elke snaar
as hy sy vingers daaroor stoot.
En toe die son wou ondergaan,
roep hy die outjies met 'n fluit
om almal in 'n kring te staan,
sê hy: Ons aapkonsert is uit! Rintie se droom
Klein Rintie droom van feëtjies
wat op 'n wolkie loop!
Versigtig is hul treetjies
daar op die skuimterthoop.
Hul swaai hul towerstokkies,
kabouters lag en rol
en al die feërokkies
staan in die windjies bol.
Maar as die son se strale
'n reënboog laat verskyn,
vlug feëtjies vir 'n vale,
voordat die wolk verdwyn.
Skeur Skeur Skeur
Môre is dit skeur, skeur, skeur
in die voorportaal se deur,
want as ek die dag verjaar,
kry ek al my maatjies daar.
Hulle sal presentjies bring
en vir my 'n liedjie sing.
Opgewonde sal ek raak
om pakkies oop te maak.
Die papier so mooi gekleur
sal ek vinnig stukkend skeur,
dankie vir geskenkies sê,
alles wat ek graag wil hê.
Joggie Spies used to make poems for the children of his friends: Here is a poem he dedicated to
Cecile van Staden
Cecile van Staden, viets en fyn,
het gaan kuier met die trein
al haar goedjies ingepas
in 'n ligte kleretas,
het sy in die gang gestaan
toe sy vrolik Strand toe gaan.
Net langs die see daar op 'n plein
praat sy met 'n pikkewyn!
"Ai, jy lyk net soos 'n non:
Spierwit hemp en swart japon,
staan en loop ook penorent!
Pikkie jy's 'n trotse vent!
Most of the text by Lina Spies and Cornelia de Kock, May 2003