Isidingo
Isidingo: The Need is a South African soap opera, with dialogue mostly in English. Isidingo premiered on SABC 3 in July 1998 and is broadcast evenings on SABC 3 from Monday to Friday at 19:30. It now uses the title Isidingo, having dropped "The Need" in 2001. The story follows vaguely from a popular soap opera during apartheid South Africa named The Villagers, although none of the current actors are from the older series. Several famous actors and actresses appeared on Isidingo, including Michelle Botes, who left the show in 2007 but later returned in 2010, and David James, most noted for his role as the villainous Koobus Venter in the film District 9, who appeared from 2004–2006. Locations are divided between the fictional ON TV studios in Johannesburg and the mining town of Horizon Deep. The main characters include the Haines family, the Matabanes, the mine manager, Vusi Moletsane, and the various residents of the boarding house now owned by Maggie Webster. Barker Haines is the character everyone loves to hate. Billionaire in the living, he often schemes his way into the lives of various people in and out of Horizon Deep, notably his daughter Leone Haines who used to run ON TV, along with Rajesh Kumar. Leone used to own and run a hotel called The Duncan in Horizon Deep, in memory of her dead brother, Duncan.
Barker tells Mad Dog that suicide is a good option for Cherel, but first she must discover that he is pressing civil charges. Steve tells Maggie he asked Erin to have a word with Leon du Plessis about the Hennie situation. Maggie finds out that Brian has made another blunder.
Dup is poised on the brink of no return when his questioning of a suspect quickly escalates to violence. Cherel decides to fight back but Lee and Barker have much more ammunition up their sleeves. And Maggie begins to wonder why she's hanging on to the incompetent Brian.
Lee tells Barker that suing Cherel for R12 million is unrealistic, but Barker pays no attention. Niemand tells Du Plessis that they are charging Jacques and co. Maggie is in a state when the guttering doesn't arrive.
Barker implements a plan to rid himself of his wife for ever. Maddog gains access to Cherel's hotel room and waits for her return. Erin wants to do a one-hour special on Cherel.
JJ wants Cherel to get a bodyguard, but Cherel is thinking that there are maybe better ways to protect oneself. Erin stalks into Lee's office ready to do battle, but is totally disarmed by Lee. Kyle phones Lolly to ask her to come to Cape Town, and Lolly is conflicted.
Cherel is beginning to make plans to hide her assets so that Barker can't get to them if he wins the court case. Cherel is suspicious about the proposed ON!TV profile, thinking that Lee and Barker will make sure she looks bad in the programme. Lolly asks for leave so she can go and see Kyle in Cape Town.
Vusi tells the truth. Tanya finally realises that her mother lied in court about how Duncan died. Erin offers Cherel an ultimatum: either she agrees to be interviewed again or Erin interviews everyone she can find about her past. Maggie learns that Brian has fired Frans.
Cherel is dealt a double blow when the two people closest to her walk out on her. And Rajesh finally makes a move on Erin.
Leon du Plessis tells Barker that Cherel admitted to Tanya that she lied in court. Erin gets a visit from a mysterious man, Paul.
Tanya feels betrayed by Cherel after supporting her through the trial. Erin confides in Maggie about a man at work who is giving her mixed feelings. Rajesh asks Erin out to dinner.
| Location | |
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| Language | English |
| Release | 1998-07-07 |
| Producer |