Dear SABC 3 content manager
I hope this letter finds you well and in good spirits as you prepare to kill our favourite SABC 3 soapie Isidingo.
I just couldn't keep quiet and you cannot expect me and a whole lot of about 900 000 loyal Isidingo viewers when you announce that you are moving the show to the graveyard slot of 18:00 to remain silent.
Michelle Botes as Cherel de Villiers-Haines-le Roux
We know change is inevitable on our screens but as viewers, we cannot allow you to move Isidingo to 18:00 time slot. Rather air your tedious and uncreative Bold at that time or from 18:00 to 19:00, we don't care. I would like to advise you that moving the show to 19:30 as you did during the Cricket World Cup, was a good move, a move that should have been permanent.
Isidingo continues to receive recognition. Seen on the picture is Makisto with Tshepo Maseko at the 2011 Saftas with Tshepo's Safta for best soapie actor for his role as Parsons.
Yes we acknowledge the show battles to attract over 1 million viewers, but as soapie critics, viewers and SABC TV licenses payers, we have always mantained that in terms of direction, cast, story linning, camera crew and a whole lot of other people who work hard to ensure this show remains quality entertainment and relevant, Isidingo is tops, regardless of what ARs say. This always shows very clearly year in and year out at the South African Film and Television Awards (Saftas). Over the years, Endemol, Gray Hofmeyr and Pumla Hopa, together with their team, have worked rather hard to always up the standard of the show and they are very successful at doing that and they have direction.
Isidingo Boys High School: The best in local soapie drama is only exclusive to Isidingo but all this could soon be history as SABC3 sharpens its knives to slaughter the show.
Now, you come here and make this blunder without proper market research and analysis. Yes, during the World Cup we were excited that the show airs at 19:30. By your own admission, this worked well and we as viewers were extremely pleased.
Keketso Semoko also has a Safta as a best soapie actress for playing Ma Agnes. But SABC 3's blunder can kill the show.
It is understanble that you have fears about putting the show on the 19:30 time slot because of the competition that is Scandal. Let me assure you, for the past three years or so, Scandal has become something like a web of confusion. The show currently has no direction and I can't even tell you what their major storyline is currently. Therefore, I urge you SABC 3 to take a bold step of putting the show at a permanent 19:30 slot. Don't be afraid, we have already given you feedback. If you don't believe me, conduct a thorough market research before October in all our nine provinces and see what you find.
Cheeky and irreverent: Chris Beasley does a stunning job for the role of Len.
Also, putting the show on the 20:00 time slot will work because over the years, we have always complained that at 20:00 we have no alternative show but to watch boring Generubbish.
Over the years, Robert Whitehead has received many awards for playing Barker Haines in Isidingo. His awards include a Duku Duku award and a Safta for best actor in a soapie. But SABC 3 is now putting this show on a graveyard slot.
I say this because in order for me and other viewers to catch the likes of Cherel de Villiers-Haines-le Roux, Barker Haines, Rajesh "Bloody" Kumar, Ma Agnes, Len Cooper, Sechaba Moloi and many other first class actors on this show, at 18:30, we have to compromise a lot such as speeding on the wrong lanes during afternoon traffic congestion (and sometimes we get fines from Metro cops), compromising on our gym time, running away from work during deadlines, all so we can catch Isidingo. Therefore, I argue that SABC 3, you have an obligation to meet your viewers half-way.
Rajesh "Bloody" Kumar: Jack Devnerain beat Generubbish's Sibusiso Dlomo in Saftas to win in the category of Best Hero in 2008 or somewhere along those years.
If you don't wanna move the soapie to 19:30, fine, but leave it were it always was: 18:30. We don't want to enter into a back-chatting match about this. This is in fact, an altimatum by which if you fail to consider, we may just come and toyi toyi at the SABC offices in Henley Studio 5.
We say no to digging a shallow grave for Isidingo and yes to 19:30 slot for Isidingo. We say yes to not continuing caring about The Bold and The Sex Kittens.
Oh, before I forget, Isidingo at 18:00 will have competition of the equally high quality soapie production The Wild.
If SABC3 continues to be abnoxious, the arrival of Vusi "Jack Mabaso" Kunene will fail to achieve the show's producers' mission, i.e, that of getting the ARs to exceed just 1 million.
If I was Julius Malema, I would say you wouldn't want Ashley Calley to turn in her grave because of this and if she turns in there, you will have yourself to blame. But I am not baby Juju.
I hope you will consider everything written in this letter before going ahead with your hasty and stupid decision.
Kindest regards
Makisto