7de Laan is <!-- see MOS:TVNOW --> a South African Afrikaans soap opera created by Danie Odendaal and produced by Danie Odendaal Productions. The series focussed on the lives of residents in and around the community of 7de Laan (7th Avenue), in the suburb of Hillside. Initially, 7de Laan was broadcast on Tuesday only, then on Tuesday and Thursday, and eventually five days a week, Monday to Friday. In February 2017, 7de Laans timeslot was changed again, this time moved to 18:00. The move was part of an ongoing programme shuffle of the SABC's three TV networks, the third such major change in a year's time. However, in May 2017, SABC 2 announced that the Sunday omnibus would resume in July. As of February 2017, episodes continued to be repeated daily on SABC 2 at 13:00 and on SABC 3 at 13:30. The show also remained available on the network's YouTube channel.

On 9 March 2017, 7de Laan aired its 4000th episode. The 4000th episode featured characters Vanessa (Ingrid Paulus) and Xander (Theodore Jantjies) renewing their wedding vows. Several characters from the show's past were featured in the storyline, including Errol (Christo Davids), Dezi (Elma Postma), Wilmien (Nina Swart), and Karien (Christi Panagio). The episode, which saw the reopening of the show's coffeehouse, Oppiekoffie, after an explosion, was directed by cast member Francois Lensley, who plays the character of Marko Greyling.

Ratings

In 2009, 7de Laan received 1.95&nbsp;million viewers per episode.

In 2018, the show's viewership exceeded 3 million. Weekly omnibus episodes also drew an additional 1 million viewers on average each week.

In January 2021, it was reported that 7de Laan most-watched episode in December 2020 drew 1.44&nbsp;million viewers, making it the 6th most-watched show on SABC 2 that month.

In May 2015, SABC2 was forced to "humbly apologise" by the BCCSA for depictions of graphic violence and inappropriate language aired during February 2015. The broadcast scenes depicted a hostage drama at the show's coffeehouse, Oppiekoffie. The show had been charged with broadcasting a depiction of violence during family viewing time with insufficient warning to viewers. The kiss generated a mostly positive reaction from viewers who commented on the TV show's Facebook page.

In January 2019, an interracial kissing scene between Fikani Chauke and Alexa Welman (portrayed by Nicholas Nkuna and Carina Nel respectively) sparked outrage, condemnation and was subject to racist remarks on the shows social media pages from fans who felt the scene was inappropriate. The show defended its decision to include the interracial kiss and its creators called for an end to hate speech.

In October 2022, a scene in which Lesedi stole Fikani's sperm and had it artificially inseminated into her so she could become pregnant caused controversy among viewers. It was compared to a similar scene which happened in Uzalo.

List of Scriptwriters

Writers

Some of the writers who have contributed to the success of the show are:

  • Jo-Ann Scholtz (Head of Script)
  • Piet Matipa (Head of Story)
  • Linda Scheepers (Treatment Editor & Writer)
  • Alyzzander Fourie (Script Editor)
  • Cobus Kock (Writer)
  • Martina Theunissen (Storyliner & Writer)
  • Lian van der Westhuizen (Storyliner)
  • Maritha Broschk (Writer)
  • Marlise Erwee (Writer)
  • Louise Venter (Writer)
  • Johann Smith (Writer)
  • Shemane Harris (Writer)
  • Jaydene Kelly (Script Coordinator)

Contract dispute

In October 2016, it was reported that 7de Laan production company, Danie Odendaal Productions, had not been able to negotiate successfully a new contract with the South African Broadcasting Corporation (SABC). As a result, cast and crew were told they would not be paid.

However, contract negotiations for both 7de Laan and fellow SABC 2 soap Muvhango were resolved satisfactorily.

Awards

7de Laan has won the following awards:

  • Best Soapie, 2010, South African Film and Television Awards (SAFTA) (determined by public vote)
  • Best Soapie, 2011, South African Film and Televisions Awards (SAFTA) (determined by public vote)
  • Best TV Soap, 2014, South African Film and Television Awards (SAFTA) (determined by public vote)

In 2011, 7de Laan won the SAFTA public vote for Best Soapie, despite an issue with voting. Voting lines opened on 14 February and the correction was made on 16 February.

Theme song

The series' original theme song was composed by Louis van Rensburg and performed by the Soweto String Quartet. Having been the theme song since the series' inception in 2000, the tune was considered "iconic", but was replaced in June 2015 with a new composition by Joe Niemand and Nomansland.

Cookbook

In 2010, a cookbook featuring recipes inspired by the programme's characters was published. Characters featured include Hilda, Matrone, Charmaine, Maria, Vince, Lukas, and Paula.

Cast

The main cast included the following characters (and the actors who played them):

  • Aggie Ngwenya-Meintjies (Mimi Mahlasela)
  • Alexa Welman-Chauke (Carina Nel)
  • Bonita Basson (Hildegardt Silkiewicz)
  • Chris Welman (David Rees)
  • Denzil Jonker (Jacques de Silva)
  • DeWet Basson/Ben Cronjé (Dirk Stoltz)
  • Ivy Peterson (Nazli George)
  • Mariaan Welman (Deirdre Wolhuter)
  • Marvin Peterson (Duncan Johnson)
  • Tanya Visagie ()
  • Tjattas Botma (Rikus Strauss)
  • Vanessa Meintjies (Ingrid Paulus)
  • Werner Visagie ()
  • Hilda de Kock (Annelisa Weiland)
  • Septimus van Zyl (Pierre van Pletzen)

The supporting cast included the following characters (and the actors who played them):

  • Augusta Visagie (Hannelie Warren)
  • Lesedi Moloi (KB Motsilanyane)
  • Sudesh Reddy (Kyle Clark)
  • Uys Visagie (Daniel Coetzee)
  • Zee Guliwe (Ray Neo Buso)

See also

  • Isidingo

References

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