SABC Speaks Out on Soapies’ Episode Cuts

The South African Broadcasting Corporation (SABC) has finally responded to angry fans urging them to reverse their decision to scale back on two popular soapies.

Two weeks ago, the SABC announced that due to waning ratings and financial struggles, it was planning to reduce the number of episodes for both “7de Laan” and “Muvhango” from five times a week to just three.

A new Afrikaans soapie, “Die Sentrum”, and a second season of Xitsonga telenovela, “Giyani: Land of Blood”, will take over these series’ respective timeslots.

On Sunday, 31 January, Mmoni Seapolelo – a spokesperson for the SABC – responded to outraged fans, who have since launched a petition to “save” their favourite shows.

Seapolelo said: “We do take the views of our audiences into consideration when taking these types of decisions. Viewers will definitely not lose “7de Laan”, as it will still broadcast from Monday to Wednesday, and the new Afrikaans series, “Die Sentrum”, will commence in the week of 5 April 2021.”

As for “Muvhango”, its episode-cutting will take effect from August onwards.

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