Three children’s productions created by Gqeberha-based Media Seven are heading to national television this October, bringing Nelson Mandela Bay creativity, familiar local voices and Eastern Cape conservation work to young viewers across South Africa.
Nature Nerd, The Pencil Tin and Gordon each use animation, music and storytelling to turn familiar childhood experiences into entertaining lessons about wildlife, teamwork, kindness and responsibility.
For Nelson Mandela Bay families, Nature Nerd carries an especially strong local connection. The bilingual series features real wildlife footage and conservationists from Nyosi Wildlife Reserve and Raggy Charters.
Nature Nerd makes learning about wildlife an adventure
Designed for children between the ages of five and nine, Nature Nerd combines animation with live-action wildlife footage.
The 23-episode series follows an animated explorer broadcasting from a secret laboratory hidden inside a coral reef. Part superhero and part scientist, Nature Nerd encourages children to become curious about the animals found on land, in the ocean and in the sky.
Each episode begins in the laboratory before moving into a “Fact Dive” featuring five easy-to-remember animal facts. Nature Nerd then connects with a real conservationist in the field before returning to the laboratory for a recap.
The experts featured in the programme are genuine conservationists from Nyosi Wildlife Reserve and Raggy Charters. This gives young viewers a look at the people working to protect South Africa’s birds, land animals and marine life.
Topics range from bees, cheetahs and chameleons to dolphins and rhinos.
Children can learn in English and isiXhosa
Every Nature Nerd episode has been produced in both English and isiXhosa.
The bilingual format allows children to explore science, wildlife and conservation in the language that feels most familiar to them. It also places local voices and conservation knowledge at the centre of the programme.
Lwamkelo Tshikini voices Nature Nerd in both English and isiXhosa, while Khanya Matsolo voices Mother Nature.
Director Bronwen Nel says combining an animated character with genuine wildlife footage and conservationists was both technically challenging and rewarding.
“We had incredible adventures, met wonderful people doing extraordinary conservation work, and gathered stories along the way that will stay with me,” she says.
The Pencil Tin brings the classroom to life
The Pencil Tin turns an ordinary collection of stationery into a group of singing, squabbling and supportive school friends.
Pencil, Eraser, Red Crayon, Red Sharpener, Green Pen and Ruler each have their own personalities. Together, they explore lessons about kindness, teamwork, counting, planets and good sportsmanship.
The animated short-form series includes 25 episodes, made up of 20 original songs and five narrated stories.
The stories are narrated by Deryn Oliver, while Bronwen Nel created the music, animation and final mix. Polly Cordell developed the concept, stories and character designs.
Cordell says the project initially began as a radio drama for her radio production learners before developing into an animated series.
Meet Gordon, a puppy finding his feet
The third production introduces Gordon, an Australian Shepherd puppy adjusting to a new home, new people and a completely unfamiliar world.
Across three narrated stories and 12 original songs, Gordon learns about friendship, kindness, teamwork and responsibility. His mistakes are part of his charm, giving young viewers a character who is also learning how to navigate the world around him.
The stories are narrated by Daron Mann.
Gordon originally began as a rhyming printed story about an adopted puppy meeting his new human, Lunathi. It was created to help children and adults understand what to expect when welcoming a puppy into the family.
The idea later grew into an animated series featuring narrated stories and songs about Gordon’s adventures.
NMB creativity reaches a national audience
The arrival of the three shows on e.tv and eToonz puts work developed in Nelson Mandela Bay in front of children across the country.
Nature Nerd also gives young viewers an opportunity to see South African wildlife and real conservation professionals on screen, rather than relying only on generic footage or stories created elsewhere.
Together, the programmes show that children’s television can be educational and imaginative while still feeling familiar and locally grounded.
When to watch the new shows
The Pencil Tin and Gordon will arrive on eToonz from 1 October 2026. The shows will air daily between 6am and 10pm.
They will also feature during the e.tv Craze block on weekdays from 2.30pm to 4pm.
Weekend broadcasts will run on Saturdays from 5am to 8.25am and Sundays from 5am to 6am.
The English version of Nature Nerd premieres on e.tv on Wednesday, 7 October at 3pm. A new episode will air every Wednesday, with repeats scheduled during the week and over weekends.
The isiXhosa version premieres on Sunday, 18 October with two episodes airing from 5.30am. From Sunday, 25 October, one new episode will air every Sunday at 5.45am.
With real South African conservationists, home-language learning, original music and characters drawn from everyday childhood experiences, these NMB-created productions offer young viewers locally grounded entertainment with plenty of heart.
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