JOHANNESBURG – A true mark of success for a television soapie is its longevity, especially in a global market. In January 2015, e.tv’s longest running soapie Scandal! completes ten years of staying power. This is truly a remarkable milestone for this award winning production.

Scandal! went on air for the first time on 10 January 2005 at 8PM to millions of eager viewers across South Africa. The show has grown tremendously since then, now boasting at least 100 crew members from the producers, writing team, wardrobe, art department, casting department and in-studio creative; everyone plays an intricate role in putting together this soapie.

The show boasts three of its original cast members in Sandy Mokoena (who plays Newspaper editor, Bra Eddie Khumalo), industry veteran Joyce Skefu (Maletsatsi, Eddie’s wife) and a young talent that has turned into a leading man, Kagiso Modupe (Mangaliso Nyathi).

e.tv as a channel has championed the show since it started in 2005. “Keeping millions of viewers captivated to one show for a decade is a phenomenon. Ten years later the show is growing in leaps and bounds. I think what sets Scandal! apart from other soapies is that it is not sleazy and irresponsible, despite the title. It shows the gritty reality and delicious drama and still remains credible, in typical e.tv style,” said Monde Twala, MD for e.tv Channels Division.

“I would like to thank everyone involved with Scandal!, our cast, crew and e.tv team. Team work and collaboration has been at the heart of our success. I look forward to another 10 years of entertaining story lines and authentic drama that resonate widely,” he added.
Since 2005, the show has moved comfortably into the 7:30PM slot and commands just over 3 million viewers to date. Series producer Ilse van Hemert attributes this to the evolving storyline that constantly depicts the dynamics of a nation.

“With Scandal! having been on air for a decade, we don’t just want to celebrate, we also want to take stock, reflect on the journey that got us here and formulate an exciting plan for the future. Scandal! is unique in that we must appeal to all of South Africa, all its cultures, all languages, all income groups, all age groups as well as world views. We are fiercely proud of the quality of work we have achieved over the last few years,” she praised.

The show has bagged its fair share of silverware since 2005, from the cast to the crew, everyone has been recognised and rewarded for their hard compelling work.

• Awards that the show has won:

2007 Golden Horn Winner for Best Post Production
2007 Golden Horn Winner for Best Actor in a soapie; “Vusi Zwane”, played by Siyabonga Twala
2008 PEOPLE Crystal Award – Best Local Soap/Drama
2008 PEOPLE Crystal Award – Best Ensemble cast in a local Soap/Series/Drama

• Nominations that the show has received:

2007 Golden Horn, best supporting actor in a soap for Clint Brink
2007 Golden Horn, best music composition – “Wounded Buffalo” (The name of our opening sequence music before this current one)
2010 Golden Horn, Best actress in a soap for Nthati Moshesh
2011 Golden Horn, Best actor in a soap for Kagiso Modupe

SAFTA’S 2014

Best writer / writing team
Best Ensemble cast