It seemed it would never happen but it is.
7de Laan's iconic Hilda will be out of the action from spring 2019.
Annelisa Weiland, who's played Hilda since the show first started 19 years ago - and who turned 70 earlier this year - has decided to call it quits.
But not quits to acting - only to 7de Laan. She's just warming-up on the acting front.
She's been signed to kykNET's Suidooster and makes her debut in November. Before that she'll be appearing in the kykNET comedy Lui Maar Op, Belinda.
This just in from Die Laan...
Beloved SABC2 7de Laan actress, Annelisa Weiland has decided to exit the soapie after nineteen years on the small screen, portraying the beloved character of Hilda van Zyl.
Hilda, a sweet, caring, albeit a bit naïve, middle aged woman, was first introduced to audiences as a receptionist and has since held many jobs including a cashier at T&T, and has been a waitress and chef at Oppiekoffie amongst others.
Hilda gets on well with people and believes there’s something good in everyone.
A trusted friend, loving mother and grandmother, Hilda has always been known as loyal, supportive, understanding and forgiving to the people close to her heart.
But even the most kind-hearted people can tolerate only so much, and Hilda has had her fair share of heartache and bitter disappointment over the years.
Nevertheless, she always bounces back to play a positive role in the lives of friends and family.
Over the years her character has grown in leaps and bounds, and so has the public’s love and affection for her.
Hilda became famous in the Laan for her adventurous cooking and especially her elaborate, over the top wedding cakes. She is also synonymous with the dance of the seven veils, which she performed for her former husband, Oubaas, on special occasions.
Falling in love and marrying Oubaas van Zyl was one of the biggest defining moments of her life. Although the marriage sadly ended in divorce years later, it remains one of the highlights of Hilda’s life. She embraced her new role with gusto and enjoyed many years of happy companionship.
“Hilda has been a part of my life since 2000 and what a privilege to have been part of the supportive environment that 7de Laan has provided,” says Weiland.
“It has been a pleasure to have portrayed quirky little Hilda with her terrible dress sense, the unavoidable “serpies” and subjecting everyone to her terrible cooking,” she added.
“I have also enjoyed discovering the more serious and sophisticated side of Hilda and I have been fortunate to have interacted with so many interesting characters over the years,” she said.
“Sadly, it is time to bid Hilda farewell and to discover new challenges, opportunities and horizons in my old stamping ground, the Cape where I was born,” says Weiland.
“Annelisa remains one of the most talented people I have ever worked with. I have loved working with her and have always been impressed with her unique talent, commitment and consistency,” said Thandi Ramathesele, Executive Producer of 7de Laan.
“Annelisa has without a doubt been a major contributor to 7de Laan’s success over the years and how South African audiences have received, loved and supported her is testament to that. I wish her continued success and may God continue to bless her,” added Ramathesele.
Viewers can expect to see Hilda until the end of September 2019.