Viewers of popular soapie, Suidooster, are up in arms over a love triangle involving their favourite on-screen couple.
When mense found out that Uncle AB and Aunty Mymoena Samsoedien were having marital problems sparked by a young new tietie on the block, all hell broke loose on social media, where the three have been trending this week.
This is the story so far: a few weeks ago Farah, played by Lee-Ann van Rooi, showed up in Ruiterbosch and became friendly with people in this tight-knit community.
AB (Cedwyn Joel) offered her an opportunity to sell her homemade soaps and hand creams at his pharmacy.
Farah is a lekker meisie, and AB’s wife, Mymoena (Jill Levenberg) liked her and didn’t suspect a thing, even when the chemistry between her hubby and Farah became obvious.
But AB didn’t want to be unfaithful to his loving wife, and his brother Nazeem (Irvine van der Merwe) then suggested he take Farah as his second wife, which Islam permits.
However, this is not going down well with Mymoena and their family.
Cedwyn says this storyline is a tough one as the issue of the tweede vrou is a hot potato in the Muslim community: “We’ve been playing the Samsodiens for almost five years and had great guidance from many people in the Muslim faith, while I also have many Muslim friends and acquaintances.”
He says in addition to their on-set cultural adviser, actress Jawaahier Petersen (who plays Kaashifa), and the writers also consulted with imams in June when the drama started.
Jill says their storylines are conceptualised to educate and create awareness, which leads to healthy debate.
“We’ve seen a flood of feedback on many storylines before but the current reaction is overwhelming and it appears as if people are really curious about the topic too,” she says.
“After all, this polygamous storyline around the Muslim faith is probably a first for South African television.”
The woman everyone seems to hate right now, Farah aka Lee-Ann, says it’s great to see viewers so invested in the show: “One feels humbled that so many people are committed to the soap. Though they hate my character, it is also clear that they appreciate our acting talent too.”
Suidooster’s Facebook page was abuzz as mense putting in their two cents, with most taking Mymoena’s side.
Charnelle Smeda wrote: “Farah is black widow. Sy is agter AB se geld aan en om lewens te verwoes. Ek boikot tans Suidooster. Die storielyn is onsmaaklik en maak vir Moena baie seer.”
Nadia Van Wyk said: “Yho my kop was glad seer van al die huil...(sic)” while Lameez Moses posted: “Farah must fall”.