Talk about drama and then some in the world of soaps/telenovelas this year. Debashine Thangevelo looks at the talking points…
TRENDING SOAP OF THE YEAR
SABC1’s Generations hasn’t taken any accolades at any of the awards ceremonies. But for 2014, it gets an honorary mention for being the biggest newsmaker. First for creator Mfundi Vundla axing its 16 principal cast members – an unprecedented act in TV. Then, in another TV first, the soap was pulled off air to give Vundla and his team time to go back to the drawing board. The result is Generations – The Legacy, boasting a mélange of fresh and familiar faces.
CATFIGHT OF THE YEAR
While in the throes of an unclear future, long-time Generations actress Sophie Ndaba (Queen Moroka) got wind that her BFF Connie Ferguson was busy negotiating her return as Karabo Moroka. To add insult to injury, Ferguson approached Vundla.
MOST DUBIOUS EXIT OF THE YEAR
No stranger to Scandal (pun intended), Luthuli Dlamini raised eyebrows when he was given the pink slip from Generations at the beginning of this year. That he was given such an unceremonious exit hinted at there being more to it – but lips were sealed. Now, he appears to have gone completely awol from the small screen.
MOST FORTUNATE SOAPS OF THE YEAR
Sjoe, Skeem Saam caught the luckiest break! Shortly after returning for a third season on SABC1, it was temporarily relocated to Generations’ prime time slot. Clement Maosa, who plays the lead Kwaito, got all the screen time he needed to be the flavour of those two months. And that was all it needed to boost its ratings.
On that note, Mzansi Magic’s Isibaya, which cleaned up at the inaugural Royalty Soapie Awards in March, proved to be such a drawcard for the channel that its telenovela lifespan was expanded when it was changed to a soapie.
MOST HATED CHARACTER REPLACEMENT OF THE YEAR
Who knew Jay Anstey would be missed so much? Certainly not newcomer model, Michaella Russell, when she took on the unfortunate task of filling her void as Isidingo’s Charlie Holmes. The media and fans alike crucified her… before she even got the chance to grow on them.
MOST CREATIVE OVERHAUL OF THE YEAR
Isidingo’s revamp was long overdue. Losing Ilse van Hemert (some time ago, though) to Scandal was a blow that unveiled serious ramifications over time.
On July 14, the tide changed in Isidingo’s favour when Rohan Dickson took over as the new head writer. And he had plans to resuscitate some lost worlds – especially that of the working class sector, which is what was credited to the soap’s pull when it first debuted on TV. And he had big plans for his creative pawns, too.
MOST DEVASTING EXITS, NEWS/REMARKABLE FLOOR CROSSING OF THE YEAR
After Generations, Isidingo certainly experienced a troubling exodus from the soap. In April, Ashish Gangerparsadh bid a sad farewell to his camp and hugely popular character, Prada Naicker. He needed a change and made quite an indelible impression as “the worst but damn popular dancer” on SABC3’s Strictly Come Dancing.
Meanwhile, Don Mlangeni (Zebedee “Zeb” Matabane) landed in hot water with the big bosses. It wasn’t long until his Isidingo journey ended – along with that of Keketso Semoko, who has played his long suffering wife, Agnes, for more than a decade.
Meanwhile, Seputla Sebogodi was brought back to wreak havoc as Kenneth Mashaba. But, taking on Vundla proved to be this villain’s greatest downfall.
Mike Mvelase (better known as Tau Mogale’s butler, Khaphela, in Generations) briefly made his return to soaps as a businessman in 7de Laan.
Jay Anstey joined Scandal on Monday, September 11 – a more svelte version of her former self.
Vusi Kunene ditched his influential role on Isidingo to return to his badass roots as Bhekifa Ngubane on Isibaya.
Pallance Dladla (Isibaya) replaced Lugile Radu as S’bu on Rhythm City. Unlike Russell, viewers took to him like a duck to water.
And then 7de Laan viewers were shocked to find out that the soap that unfailingly bags the Public’s Vote for Most Popular Soap every year was getting grief from SABC2. Like Isidingo, it boiled down to boosting those poor audience ratings with a freshening of the cast, storylines and set.
MOST UPSETTING STORYLINES OF THE YEAR
Eish, this category is so extensive, it needs a story of its own. But, off the top of my head, Isibaya’s incestuous romance between Thandeka and her half-brother S’bu got tongues wagging; more so, when, after finding out they were related, they still took the plunge.
Then there is shebeen queen Ruby on Generations. Let’s just say there was a very fine line between her and her rapist, Patrick. They really did find love in a hopeless place.
Meanwhile, the cougar sex-capades of Katlego came to a halt when her gold digger status was threatened. After the death of Jefferson Sibeko (Kunene), she moved on to the next Sibeko – Lincoln. After all, the nest egg wasn’t going to come via hard work. And a helpless and lovesick Calvin had to bear witness to the farce.
And our beloved Lerato on Isidingo went from getting the public’s sympathy with her cancer storyline to incurring their wrath for cheating on Sechaba with the suave Hamilton. Of course, it was nothing compared to Jack Devnarain’s hate mail after his holier-than-thou character, Rajesh Kumar, fell into bed with his rather saucy secretary, Zak (Ntombizakhe Khumalo).
There was also plenty of baby mama drama to go around with the Niki, Suffocate and Puleng love triangle on Rhythm City and the Thembeka, Quinton and Jessica disaster on Scandal.
MOST INTERESTING BREAKING NEWS OF THE YEAR
Monde Twala, the MD of e.tv channels, recently announced that they will be going head-to-head with Vundla’s baby in the prime time slot next year. They are in the preproduction phase of launching a telenovela helmed by Clive Morris Productions.
MOST EXCITING COMEBACK OF THE YEAR
The honour goes to our sexy and talented Hlubi Mboya, better known as Nandipha in Isidingo.
In a Tonight exclusive she revealed how she will be shaking things up as Thandeka Dandala in Rhythm City.
Interestingly, she is paired with Dumisani Mbebe (who is also making his comeback) – but as his savvy and entrepreneurial niece.