This from 7de Laan:



24-04-2020, Highlands North, Johannesburg - In the best interest of his family’s well-being and fulfilling a life-long dream, Hennie Jacobs, who has portrayed the role of Diederik Greyling for over 13 years has decided to take up an employment opportunity abroad and has therefore departed 7de Laan.

Diederik was a small-town boy who had come to the big city to pursue a career and soon settled in the Hillside community. 

He was a flawed and vulnerable character yet always there for his friends and family.

Diederik was unlucky in love and it showed through a string of relationships from San-Mari, Clara and Flooze to Kim, Amorey and Olivia. 

Despite the many disappointments he encountered he chose to live life to the fullest and embraced redemption.

Hennie Jacobs is a family orientated man who loves his family dearly.  He also adored his 7de Laan family and developed deep friendships over the years.

On set, he was admired for always being diligently prepared, respectful, humble and pouring his talent into every storyline that was entrusted to him.

His sense of humour was renowned and there was never a dull moment in his presence.

“I loved playing Diederik and will always be extremely grateful to 7de Laan, specifically Thandi Ramathesele, Danie Odendaal and Annie Basson for giving me this opportunity. As a professional actor, I could not have asked for a better environment, where I worked with the best in the industry.

"To be directed and mentored by the likes of Chris Voster and Henry Mylne has shaped me into the actor I am today. I have made lasting friendships with the cast and crew, both on set and off, which I will always treasure.

"It's not ‘goodbye’, it's ‘until I see you again’. I wish my 7de Laan family the very best for the future success of this wonderful production” says Hennie.

Francois Lensley who plays the role of Marko, Diederik’s cousin candidly shares a memory of Hennie’s first day on set. “Hennie being the more experienced actor between us, arrived the first day to set and being new I recall he looked like that frog in front of a snake that Danie always wrote about in his scripts.

"I introduced myself to set him at ease, his first scene was with me and we just hit it off,” Francois recalls.

Henry Mylne, Series Director of 7de Laan lauds Hennie’s professionalism and ability to transform a written script into the remarkable performances he gave.

“Act, he will again, because when the acting profession chooses you like it has chosen Hennie - you have no choice,” says Henry.

“As sad as we are about the departure of such a talented and dependable actor as Hennie, we support his decision. We wish him and his family well on their new adventure. He will always have a home here at 7de Laan”, concludes 7de Laan Executive Producer, Thandi Ramathesele. 

Hennie’s final episode as Diederik Greyling was on Thursday, 23 April 2020.

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PS: The production sent a note with this saying that Hennie isn't taking any interviews on the matter and that any questions can be directed to the production office.