Things got a little exciting when the SABC congratulated 7de Laan.
It's been almost eight months since the last broadcast. 7 Deraan The show won viewers' choice award for most popular show at the seventh annual Royalty Soap Awards over the weekend, with viewers clamoring for a return to the series.
“We are incredibly honoured to have won the award for Most Favourite Show as voted for by viewers at the 7th Annual Loyalty Soap Awards 2024,” a statement on the soap opera's official Facebook page read.
“If only your love and support could have saved me, 7 Deraanwe have no doubt that it will be. You are a special part of our story and we will cherish it forever.”
After 23 years on SABC 2, 7 DeraanThe final episode on this channel aired on December 26, 2023.
In July 2023, the channel announced that the series would not be rebroadcast for another season when season 24 ends in December.
Related article: 'This is an attack on the Afrikaans community' – Fans petition to save 7de Laan
Please bring back 7 de Laan…
The comments section of the soap opera's statement got a bit tense as SABC 2's Facebook administrator congratulated the soap opera on its win, and viewers of the show did not take it kindly.
“It would have been better if you had kept quiet,” Nompumelelo Nicolene Sibiya wrote in response to the channel's post.
“Bring me back. July “It shows how popular it is and how many viewers it has,” Anneke Aletta Kruger wrote.
“Fam, stop it,” Ĕric Blăq Ğuy insisted petulantly.
SABC 2's decision to cancel the show came as a shock. 7 DeraanIn an attempt to save the long-running TV show, a petition was even started calling for other networks to take over the show.
The petition also called on other channels to consider adapting the SABC soap opera.
“We, 7 Deraanand hopes other production companies such as e.tv and KykNET will support this idea. 7 Deraan“Not only will this protect the jobs of cast and crew, it will also safeguard South Africa's number one Afrikaans soap opera,” the petition reads.
Related article: SABC ends relationship with soap opera '7de Laan' after 24 seasons
Royal Soap Awards
The seventh annual Royal Soapie Awards took place at the Hartveldt Arena in Tshwane, bringing together TV stars and politicians to honour the genre's best performers of the past 12 months.
Her Royal Highness @winnie_ntshaba is a building. 🔥😍Soapy Award #SABC1Angekebascon #RoyaltySoapyAwards pic.twitter.com/rhWT6MBv13
— SABC 1 (@Official_SABC1) August 24, 2024
Among the night's winners were actress Deli Malinga, who won the award for Best Female Villain for her role as Mamzobe in Umkhokha: The Curse, while the show's director Lusand Mngomezulu won the award for Best Directing Team.
Scaem SamLethabo Mekoa, who plays Ntshwaki on the SABC 1 TV series Star Wars Episode I: The Final Battle, won Newcomer of the Year.
Photo: Gauteng Premier Panyaza Lesufi and MEC Summary Attending the 7th Annual Royalty Soapy Awards at the Hartveld Arena in Pretoria.#RoyaltySoapyAwards#RSA24#7thrsa pic.twitter.com/1VByj1yyFL
— Gauteng Department of Sport, Arts, Culture and Recreation (@GautengSACR) August 24, 2024
Veteran actor Dr Jerry Mofokeng has been honoured with a Lifetime Achievement Award for his distinguished career.
NOW READ: WATCH: Heartbreaking as South Africans say goodbye to '7de Laan' after 23 years