South African soapie fans have to deal with yet more heartbreak as another TV favourite comes to an end.
kykNET has announced that Arendsvlei will stop airing in June 2024 at the end of Season 6.
Revolving around the semi-private school, Arendsvlei High School, managed by the Cupido family, the series made its debut on October 1, 2018.
Initially planned for one season only, the first and only exclusive telenovela on kykNET, it became popular among viewers, earning two Safta Awards for the first season and as viewership numbers continued to grow, the show grew from two to four episodes a week.
“The team behind Arendsvlei are incredibly proud of the rich story world that has become a part of our viewers’ daily lives.
“kykNET thanks Penguin Films, every actor, and every member of the production team who taught us to take Arendsvlei High’s motto to heart and ‘aim high’,” said Waldimar Pelser, M-Net Director of Premium Channels.
Meanwhile, viewers are still trying to come to terms with yet another Afrikaans show coming to an end.
SABC2 and Danie Odendaal Productions announced in July long-running soapie 7de Laan would not be recommissioned for another season when season 24 ends in December after 23 years on air.
Roberta Durrant, the creative producer of the award-winning programme expressed how proud they are over what has been achieved with Arendsvlei, reminding viewers that as a telenovela it was always meant to come to an end.
“It has resonated with many people across the country, and its storylines touched them deeply.
“Arendsvlei is not a soap opera –it’s a telenovela. It was always meant to come to an end.
“That the show still captivates viewers after six years is a remarkable achievement. We are grateful that we can end Arendsvlei on a high note.”