Die Sentrum (The Centre) is a South African telenovela which revolves around a group of eight diverse counsellors who work together at a helpline call centre.
Although they spend their time helping callers with their personal issues, each one of the counsellors has their own challenges to overcome.
The series explores socially relevant issues which reflect the present times in South Africa, with callers' stories providing another layer of social reality in each episode.
Alcoholism, domestic violence, a desperate search for love and secret lifestyles are some of the subjects the counsellors need to deal with – not only over the telephone, but in their personal lives as well.
The counsellors try not to judge their callers, but rather assist them however they can, from people just needing someone to lend an ear, to life threatening situations.
The series stars Carmen Maarman as Kelly, Chumani Pan as Muzi, Keeno-Lee Hector as Darren, Esihle Mkosana as Buhle, Randy Januarie as Naomi, Zenobia Kloppers as Lucinda, Stiaan Bruwer as Kobus, Dustin Beck as Imaad, Thoko Ntshinga as Funeka and Kim Syster as Rochelle.
Die Sentrum was created and produced by Penguin Films with producers Mandilakhe Yengo, Sheena Lee Hendricks and Robert Durrant. Directors include Mandilakhe Yengo and Liezl Spies.
The head writer is Rosalind Butler, with a writing team including Johann Davis, Henry Cloete, Tristram Atkins, Stephen Simm, Ricardo Arendse and Sinovuyo Jwacu.
The series was filmed in Cape Town and is broadcast in Afrikaans and Xhosa, with English subtitles.
Original music is by Murray Anderson.