7de Laan
7de Laan (2000) is a long-running South African Afrikaans soap opera that chronicled the daily lives, relationships, and dramas of residents in the fictional Hillside suburb of Johannesburg from April 2000 to December 2023. Created by Danie Odendaal, the series gained significant popularity for its relatable portrayals of suburban life, blending everyday gossip, romances, and conflicts within a diverse community. Over its 23-year run and more than 5,000 episodes, the show tackled various social issues, evolving to reflect a changing South Africa through diverse characters and storylines. While celebrated for fostering inclusivity and addressing topical subjects like gender-based violence and LGBTQ+ representation, it also faced controversies and regulatory reprimands for its content. The series has consistently been a staple of South African television, appealing to a broad audience, particularly within the Afrikaans community.
Concerns
LGBTQ & Gender Identity
High7de Laan has explicitly featured significant LGBTQ+ content, including multiple same-sex kisses and the introduction of a transgender character. These storylines have been both praised for their inclusivity and met with strong viewer backlash and religious objections, demonstrating the show's intentional engagement with these themes.
On March 2, 2017, 7de Laan aired its first same-sex kiss between male characters Logan (Simon Tuit) and Divan (Arnu de Villiers). In the same year, the show introduced Geneviève, a transgender character played by transgender actress Deonay Balie, aiming to educate audiences on transgender issues. In 2018, the series featured its first lesbian kiss between characters Amanda and Monique (also referred to as Jasmine), which also generated mixed reactions from viewers. Another same-sex kiss occurred in 2021 between Shawn and Emile after Shawn came out as gay to his wife.
Violence
HighThe series has featured graphic and intense violence, leading to official reprimands from the Broadcasting Complaints Commission of South Africa (BCCSA) for broadcasting unsuitable material during family viewing times.
In a March 24, 2016 episode, the character Willem was shown strangling Gita. In February 2015, a hostage drama storyline at Oppiekoffie depicted "graphic and explicit scenes" including repetitive gun threats, a hostage bleeding profusely, and a character suffering a heart attack, which the BCCSA found unsuitable. In June 2012, the show was reprimanded for the explicit portrayal of an attempted suicide by the character Herman, deemed too graphic for its timeslot. A storyline in June 2020 featured Andre emotionally abusing and physically attacking Mariaan, trapping her in a car boot, and revealing Andre had killed his abusive father in self-defense in his past.
Romance and Sexual Content
High7de Laan includes a range of romantic and sexual content, from explicit same-sex and interracial kisses to mature themes involving reproductive choices and non-consensual acts, which have sparked public controversy and regulatory attention.
The show featured significant romantic intimacy, including the first gay kiss between Logan and Divan in 2017, an interracial kiss between Fikani Chauke and Alexa Welman in 2019, and a lesbian kiss between Amanda and Monique in 2018. In October 2022, a storyline involving Lesedi stealing Fikani's sperm to artificially inseminate herself caused significant controversy among viewers due to its mature and ethically complex themes regarding consent and reproduction. The BCCSA also cited "unwelcome suggestions of a sexual nature" during the February 2015 hostage drama episodes.
Scary & Intense Content
High7de Laan has repeatedly included highly intense and frightening content, such as violent confrontations, hostage situations, and attempted suicide, which have prompted public complaints and regulatory action for being unsuitable for its broadcast timeslot.
The February 2015 hostage drama at Oppiekoffie featured "graphic and explicit scenes" with gun threats and a character experiencing a heart attack, deemed inappropriate for family viewing. In March 2016, a scene depicted Willem strangling Gita, an act of explicit violence. The show was also reprimanded for an "explicit portrayal of attempted suicide" involving the character Herman in June 2012, highlighting disturbing themes of self-harm. A 2020 storyline featured Mariaan enduring emotional abuse and physical assault, including being trapped in a car boot, leading to a tense and frightening plot development.
Profanity
MediumThe series has been cited for using inappropriate language, leading to official apologies from the broadcaster. While specific words are not always detailed, the regulatory body deemed the language strong enough to warrant a reprimand during family viewing times.
SABC2 was compelled to issue an apology in May 2015 for "inappropriate language" aired during the February 2015 hostage drama episodes, alongside graphic violence. The Broadcasting Complaints Commission of South Africa (BCCSA) specifically noted "verbal abuse" as part of the objectionable content in these scenes. While exact profanities are not enumerated, the official nature of the complaint and apology indicates a severity beyond mild language.
Anti-Christian Themes
MediumWhile not directly promoting anti-Christian messages, the show's progressive storylines, particularly its LGBTQ+ representation, have been perceived by some viewers and a pastor as conflicting with Christian beliefs, leading to accusations of attempting to 'brainwash' audiences.
Following the first gay kiss in 2017, some viewers reacted with homophobia rooted in "religious beliefs," and a pastor openly criticized the show for 'trying to brainwash entire families to believe that homosexuality is okay'. Actor Simon Tuit, in response to the backlash, addressed religious intolerance, stating, 'I applaud people standing strong in their faith – what I can't accept is your harsh judgement of fellow human beings who mean you no harm,' referencing biblical principles of love.
Witchcraft & Occult
LowThere is minimal to no explicit depiction of witchcraft or occult practices. One instance involves superstition rather than active magical rituals or demonic themes.
After the death of Mariaan, Chris instructs his eldest son Rickus to burn down the Welman house, believing it brings "misfortune and bad luck" to its residents, representing a superstitious belief rather than active occult practice.
Substance Use
LowThe series does not prominently feature controversial or extensive substance use, such as illegal drug abuse or significant alcohol addiction storylines. General social drinking may be depicted in background settings typical of a soap opera.
The fictional locations in Hillside include 'Stasie 6,' described as a 'local bar and popular nightclub,' indicating that alcohol consumption in social settings is part of the show's environment. However, search results did not highlight any specific storylines or controversies related to substance abuse, addiction, or illegal drug use.
Disrespect & Rebellion
LowWhile typical soap opera conflicts and disagreements are inherent to the genre, the search results do not specifically highlight pervasive themes of overt disrespect towards authority figures or rebellious acts as a central concern or recurring controversial element within the show's narratives.
The available information focuses on other content concerns (violence, LGBTQ+ representation, sexual content, profanity) and does not detail specific instances or recurring storylines primarily centered on characters exhibiting high levels of disrespect, snarky behavior, backtalk, or rebellion against established authorities or parental figures as a problematic theme.
Other Notes
Target Demographic
Ages 16+ due to frequent depictions of graphic violence, mature sexual themes including non-consensual reproductive acts, strong language, and comprehensive LGBTQ+ representation that may challenge traditional family values.
Additional Notes
7de Laan's content has evolved over its long run, with later seasons introducing more diverse and sometimes controversial storylines, including significant LGBTQ+ representation and mature social issues like gender-based violence. The show has received official reprimands and fines from the Broadcasting Complaints Commission of South Africa (BCCSA) for explicit violence and inappropriate language, indicating that some content exceeded acceptable standards for its family viewing timeslot. These incidents highlight the show's capacity to push boundaries and generate public debate.
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