7de Laan

7de Laan has always been a dumb show, with dumb plots and an unrealistic representation of South African society, but at least the show was wholesome with characters leading conservative, conventional lives.

Unfortunately, now the show is getting increasingly "woke". It is promoting interracial relationships and the white parents of those whites in relationships with non-whites seem to be OK with it and do not threaten their children with disinheritance, which is what would have happened in all but the most pinko, white-guilt ridden communist households. The interracial couples are unrealistic and over represented, considering those relationships don't even make up 1% of all relationships involving white people in South Africa. Whites are only 7% of South Africa's population, and encouraging race mixing in a popular TV show can lead to the extinction of whites and European beauty in the country.

I wish 7de Laan could change course from being dumb, woke, anti-white garbage to being dumb, wholesome and conservative again. Before you could let your kids watch it and know they would not be exposed to degenerate, woke values, but now that has changed.

There is never a dull moment and always someone to wonder about, talk about and cry about! 7de Laan is suitable for any age, and it isn't a copy of Days of our life's, Bold and the Beautiful or any other soap.

It is based on ordinary people, and ordinary days. There is a rich family, a troubled family, couples with normal problems. It is truly SOUTH African, with a lot of laughs, tears, suspension. With very talented actors.

There is a reason why this successful show has been airing 5 days a week since 2000!!! This is how the show came about : Once upon a time Danie Odendaal (the creator) sat in a Melville coffee shop waiting for a friend to join him for breakfast. His friend was running late and, having nothing to do he whiled away the time by looking at the people around him.

A funky young waitress in a micro mini was ignoring her customers and flirting with her boyfriend on the phone. The stern manageress was about to confront her when a formidable lady walked in as though she owned the place. The manageress quickly escorted her to the nicest table available, and then they started chatting like old friends about their children.

Through the window of the coffee shop he saw a young girl and her friend come out of a dress shop, arms laden with bags. They were soon met by a young guy in a chef's jacket, who'd been eyeing them from the corner bakery. You could hear their giggles and laughs in the coffee shop.

Across the way from Danie sat a spinster in a floral dress with a scarf around her neck, eating a slice of anchovy toast, ad writing a shopping list. The waiter serving her addressed her by name, she was obviously a regular and familiar face.

Danie began to make up stories around each person he saw. Imagine if the formidable lady went home tonight to find out her young son was engaged to the girl she was hoping was just a fling, what if that guy the waitress is talking to is just one of many guys she keeps on string. And what about the spinster in the scarf? Maybe she is writing up a list of ingredients she needs for a banana loaf she plans to make for her boss. The only trouble is, she's a terrible cook! And so began the idea of 7de Laan… Since episode one was screened on SABC 2 in April 2000, there have been many reasons to make 7de Laan our favourite soap. Wonderful moments on screen that made us smile, giggle, chuckle and even laugh out loud. Unforgettable moments where we were glued to our seats and we raced home to make sure we did not miss what happened next. Romantic moments which gave us goose bumps and then of course, the moments that made us cry.

Even though some of the residents come and go, there can be little doubt that Hillside is everyone's favourite community and when that familiar tune starts to play we'll all be glued to our television screens for endless hours to come!

7de laan may be the only soap (from around the world) that doesn't include sex. Even children can watch it without "learning". 7de laan is suitable for any age, and believe me, EVEN MEN fancy this show. 7de laan also isn't a copy of Days of our life's, Bold and the Beautiful, etc. It is truly SOUTH African, with a lot of laughs, tears, suspension. It is also based on ordinary people, and ordinary days. There is a rich family, a troubled family, couples with normal problems, and guess what, it also shows the world that you don't need sex or half naked scenes to attrack viewers. And there isn't something like this man slept with that mans' wife or vice versa. If you ask most of the South Africans which program they watch, their awnser will be: 7 DE LAAN!

This show is an insult to anyone with a double digit or higher IQ. Predictable & corny & a waste of the SABC's meager budget. You have token representation by people who can't speak the Afrikaans language properly yet insist on communicating via the language & story lines that are simplistic & repeated often. South Africa produces a very low quality of public television in general but this is among its worst quality offerings.

The show is based in a fictional street where an entire community is able to find employment at either a coffee shop, community newspaper or travel agency. Every character is only able to date from a potential - heterosexual only - pool of 2-3 characters & the writers attempt to add American soap style drama to the most laughable of mundane issues such as fund-raising for a hockey tour & the electrical inspection of a building. So bad it verges on the amusing - though that novelty itself fades with time.

Contrary to what most South Africans would admit, this is one of the worst shows on South African television. The acting and writing is too bad too describe in words. I have watched soap operas for more than 15 years, including many other South African soaps, and this is the worst by far. There may be no sex scenes which 'makes it suitable for family viewing' as someone else commented here, but no relationship ever lasts. The younger people in the soap swap boyfriends and girlfriends like there is no tomorrow - which I would not think is suitable viewing for someone still growing up and learning what life is like. Also, it is not considered a plus for the soap to get well known and good actors to play roles, no, a 'sexy young new actor/actress' is considered a bigger plus. And usually this just contributes further to lack of acting talent on the show. My honest expert opinion - don't watch!