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7de Laan drama: Broadcast still uncertain as Hlaudi gets involved

Cape Town - Although a new contract will definitely be concluded for the SABC’s Afrikaans soap 7de Laan on SABC2, uncertainty remains over whether it will be broadcast on Monday since Hlaudi Motsoeneng first wants to meet with the producers on Monday morning.

The SABC once dragged its feet for months to sign new contracts for its number one rated show on SABC2, Muvhango, as well as 7de Laan currently the 7th most watched show in terms of SABC2 viewership.

The SABC rushed on Friday to suddenly try and get final signatures on a new 7de Laan contract of which the first episode of the Afrikaans weekday soap is set to be broadcast on Monday. This comes after the production company Danie Odendaal Productions informed the SABC it will withhold any further episodes until an actual contract has been signed.

Now the SABC’s boss, Hlaudi Motsoeneng, no longer the chief operating officer (COO) but heading up corporate affairs, will also be meeting with 7de Laan on Monday morning.

Sunday newspaper Rapport reports on Netwerk24 that the SABC confirmed that a new contract with Danie Odendaal Productions has been concluded. The contract is for R250m, the same as for Muvhango.

Soaps like 7de Laan work roughly two months in advance. Despite a new contract and with the SABC that depleted all episodes, it’s in fact unreasonable for the SABC to sign a contract for a TV show and expect a completed post-production, ready-to-air episode a few days later. 

According to the production, a delegation of the SABC that includes Hlaudi Motsoeneng, wants to see the entire 7de Laan team Monday morning.

It’s not clear why Motsoeneng is involved. Last month the Supreme Court of Appeal said Motsoeneng should be removed from his position as COO.

According to earlier news reports, the SABC decided that the SABC’s radio stations must report to Motsoeneng.

SABC spokesperson Kaizer Kganyago didn’t respond to media enquiries from Rapport about it.

The SABC’s division commissioning TV shows has been mired in chaos the past few months. The SABC’s head of television, Verona Duwarwah, was recently fired after she refused to approve Motsoeneng’s TV plans.

Motsoeneng announced that 80% of all content must be locally produced and despite the SABC’s beleaguered financial situation, this local content quota plan must continue.

A source at the SABC told Rapport the stalling to sign new contracts with soaps like Muvhango and 7de Laan are partially due to the gutted and mismanaging SABC board.


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