[LISTEN] Leon van Nierop remembers Paul Eilers

Film industry great Leon van Nierop has remembered actor Paul Eilers as the person who groomed him into the South African broadcasting industry. 

Eilers reportedly died of a heart attack on Friday. 

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Eilers was known for his roles in Stuur Groete Aan Mannetjies Roux, Paljas, Koöperasiestories, Vyfster, and Sonkring, among others. 

Van Nierop says Eilers taught him how to do directing for radio and how to be versatile as a broadcast professional. 

"He looked at me and said you are not going to make it in this industry if you are too nice," van Nierop recalled. 

Van Nierop also paid tribute to Ewilers' work., saying: "Those films brought a new light to the Arfrikaans film industry," said Van Nierop. "He was a splendid film director."