Publications
- SABC3's new telenovela The Estate delves into the mysteries, deceit and secret desires locked behind a gated community.
- The new weekday show is the channel's replacement for Isidingo which ended in March 2020.
- It will premiere on the channel in April.
The mysteries, deceit and secret desires all locked behind a suburban gated community will be spilling out in SABC3's new locally-produced show The Estate scheduled to start in April as its new weekday telenovela.
The Estate - produced by Clive Morris Productions – is SABC3's replacement for Isidingo which ended in March 2020.
READ MORE | SABC no longer seeing the need - 'Isidingo' axed after 21 years
The show, which will compete with M-Net's Legacy, produced by Tshedza Pictures, will delve into various South African hot-button issues and forms the new bedrock of the SABC3's latest programming attempt to turn around the struggling channel's image and ratings decline over the past decade.
The new series will be tackling issues in storylines ranging from land and identity, corruption, patronage, money, both old and new, as well as power struggles, and class and equality.
The Estate will centre on the people living inside the beautiful homes of Echelon Estate with its manicured gardens, landscaped green parks, a clubhouse, a gym and a golf course – all surrounded by an 8-metre high brick wall and tight security.
Inside Echelon Estate, the super-elite are secretly struggling to keep up appearances. The struggling middle class are trying to keep up with the neighbours, while the working class "help" serve the champagne, and are little more than "labouring visitors" in this wonderland, although they see and hear everything.
Trouble is also brewing outside the estate's wrought-iron gates, with growing pressure around a land claim from the neighbouring Thembalethu township, as privileged Echelon Estate residents fear the "peasants will be storming the castle".
Long-buried secrets will be unearthed in this drama, SABC3 says, as a deal with the devil is revealed between two bad men.
"The Estate is a metaphor, a symbol of modernity and status – but the show begs the question: Is this all we aspire to as humans? When is enough, enough?" says Pat van Heerden, SABC3 channel head.
"The show tells moving tales of family, loyalty, love, sacrifice, betrayal and human foibles while addressing some of the issues in our country as we scramble our way into the future."
"Clive Morris Productions and the SABC content team have brought us cutting-edge telenovelas which will serve our citizens with world-class storytelling with an award-winning cast, writers and incredible production value. South Africans are in for a treat," she says.
"The Estate forms part of an exciting chapter of SABC3 where the channel is repositioning to reflect a modern, complex and thoughtful South Africa. We will announce these exciting developments."
According to Clive Morris Productions, The Estate will incorporate themes like "identity and heritage, historical disempowerment and the fight for true economic freedom, truth vs lies, corruption and its consequences and other social issues that have relevance and resonance, in the current state of South Africa."
"The show will reflect a wide mix of diverse characters that speak to the three strata of society and how they are interconnected. As Clive Morris Productions, we are incredibly excited to tell this story."
Meet the cast
The Estate cast includes the Phakathwayo family with Sdumo Mtshali as Solomuzi, Jo-Anne Reyneke as Lwandle, Sparky Xulu as Siya, Linda Sebez as Goniwe, Zenokuhle Maseko as Sindi and Aubrey Poo as Castro Kamanga.
The Mokobane family is portrayed by Don Mlangei as Shadrack, Clementine Mosimane as Mmathsepo and Mpho Sibeko as Dumisani.
The Van Wyk family has Jacques Blignaut as Martin and Carla Classen as Tessa as part of the cast.
The Molefes - the newbies - are played by Dineo Langa as Mmakoena and Matli Mohapelo as Lesiba.
The Le Roux family has Nadia Velvekens will be seen as Suzaan, Penny Wolhurter plays Leah and Charlie Bouguenon was cast in the role of Ryan.
