Season 1
Arendsvlei is a South African, Afrikaans-language telenovela based on a concept by Theltom Masimila which revolves around a semi-private high school on the Cape Flats run by the Cupido family, in the fictitious community of Arendsvlei.
A brother and sister, both teachers, are determined to make a difference by giving as many children in the community as possible access to quality education.
Unfortunately, they need to overcome various stumbling blocks at work and in their personal lives.
The principal, Beatrice (Jolene Martin), founded the school to provide a good education for children in the community at an affordable price, which became a passion project funded by money she inherited after her father's death.
The people in Arendsvlei are a community with dreams and that wants to rise above their circumstances.
The themes focus on love, deceit, murder, revenge, family secrets, teen pregnancies, depression, addiction and homosexuality.
The series features a large ensemble cast including Oscar Petersen (Swartwater) as David, Jolene Martin (Getroud met Rugby) as Beatrice, Ernest St Clair (Ingoma) as Christopher, newcomer Maria Valente De Almeida as Samantha, Jody Abrahams (Fishy Feshuns) as Lionel, Melanie Du Bois (7de Laan) as Ronel, Crystal-Donna Roberts (Mense Mense) as Janice and Sherman Pharo (7de Laan) as Thys.
Other featured cast include Dillon Windvogel (danZ!) as Vernon, newcomer Gretchen Ramsden as Nicolene, Dean Richard Olivier (Fynskrif) as Anton, Ann Juries (Die Byl) as Claudia, Rehane Abrahams (Die Allemans) as Wendy, Christian Bennett (Sara se Geheim) as Emile, Kay Smith (Vlug/Terug na Egipte) as Debra, newcomer Craig Adriaanse as Wesley, Roberto Kyle (Homeland) as Lee-Roy, Celeste Matthews (Vinkel en Koljander) as Aunty Gertie and Joseph Mitchell (Die Boland Moorde) as Uncle Johnny.
Based on a concept by Theltom Masimila and produced by Penguin Films for kykNET as an M-Net Original Production, the series is the first original telenovela to air exclusively on kykNET & kie. Denny Y. Miller is the director and the head writer is Theltom Masimila.
The head storyliner is Wilmien Rossouw, with a writing team that includes Ilse Oppelt, Margaret Goldsmid, Henry Cloete, Quanita Adams, Johann Davis and Retief Scholtz.
The theme song is sung by Karin Kortje and original music is by Murray Anderson. The supervising producer for kykNET & kie is Janine Cornelius.
The 156-episode telenovela was filmed in Cape Town.
Season 1 Cast
(scroll to bottom for available actor bios)
Starring
Jolene Martin ... Beatrice Abrahams
Oscar Petersen ... David Abrahams
Maria Valente de Almeida... Samantha Abrahams
Celeste Matthews ... Gertie Cupido
Sherman Pharo ... Thys Cupido
Crystal-Donna Roberts ... Janice Cupido
Ann Juries ... Claudia Cupido
Rehane Abrahams ... Wendy Newman
Kay Smith ... Debra Newman
Jody Abrahams ... Lionel Foster
Melanie du Bois ... Ronel Foster
Roberto Kyle ... Lee-Roy Foster
Recurring / Guests
Gerwen Simon ... Valdonia Lee Matthews
Ernest St Clair ... Christopher February
Craig Adriaanse ... Wesley Rossouw
Dillon Windvogel ... Vernon Booysen
Beata Bena ... Kim Claasen
Leandra Booysen ... Melanie Solomons
Christian Bennett ... Emile February
Jawaahier Petersen ... Amina Haroun
Rudy Visagie ... Henry Witbooi
Melissa de Vries ... Sasha Daniels
Dustin Beck ... Luke
Dealan Fredericks ... Melvin
Jesse Frankson ... Ricardo
Alfredo Joseph ... Shane
Leatitia Solomons ... Mary
Alzavia Abrahams ... William
Noel Oostendorp ... Bradley Rossouw
Jeffrey Moss ... Fred Booysen
Roxanne Blaise ... Elsa Booysen
Kaylene Bergstedt ... Amelia Booysen
Moejahied Taliep ... Clive
Heinrich Franse ... Journalist
Phillip C. Henn ... Dr Small (as Phillip Henn)
Dorne Pellam ... Student 1 / Chantel Friend 1
Gerald Petersen ... George Cupido
Menicia Sass ... Chantel Matthews
Mandilakhe Yengo ... Bank Official (voice)
Merlin Balie ... Hein Venter
Morné Visser ... Pastor Swanepoel
Lee Roodt ... Manie
Dennis Stander ... Bertie
Patrick Philander ... Chantel Friend 2 / Keagan
Riana Alfreds ... Bianca
Tarryn Wyngaard ... Ilke Bastiaan
Euodia Samson ... Hazel Bastiaan
Shadley Schroeder ... Pub Barman
McKeenen Thomas ... Jason Saunders
Paul Savage ... Gerald
Brendon Daniels ... Krige
Shakeel Taliep ... Delivery Man
Joseph Mitchell ... Johnny Oosthuizen
Ubaidullah Gasnola ... Taxi Driver
Andre Roothman ... Wilfred
Bronte Snell ... Clarissa
Soli Philander ... Sampie
Earl Hendricks ... Charles
Armando De Leca ... Pedestrian
Royston Stoffels ... Pastor Henkel
Peter Butler ... Ruiter
Gretchen Ramsden ... Nicolene Arendse
Charlton George ... Detective Eugene Karelse
Ivan Abrahams ... Pieter van Schalkwyk
Roeline Daneel ... Alta-Marie
Dean Richard Olivier ... Anton
John Koopman ... Vinny Geduld
Mike Solomon ... Ontvoerder 1 / MJ
Dudone Marsh ... Ontvoerder 2
Alexia Kurucz ... Young Wendy
Lyden Kent Petersen ... Smittie
Duncan Wheatley ... Young Pieter van Schalkwyk
Raydene Olivia Le Roux ... Bella Klein
Adriaan van Graan ... Policeman
Elton Landrew ... Steve Mortlock
Hanlo Huysamer ... Barman
Almar Muller ... Brett
Liezel Swartz ... Sybil Grootboom
Kenwyn Davids ... Soutie
Hein de Vries ... Boela
Eugene Groenewald ... Porter
Amrain Ismail-Essop ... Dr Lawrence
Megan Felkers ... Nurse
Natalie Walsh ... Wendy Newman @ Age 17
Kevin Smith ... Hamilton Wolf
Fawaaz Gasnola ... Park Kid
Ernestine Sachse ... Young Wendy (13)
Ebrahiem Johnson ... Vendor
Blake Pharo ... Young Christopher
Nahum Hughes ... Young Emile
Damian Daniels ... Security Guard
Gary Hangone ... Mechanic
Darion Adams ... Oscar-Tango Instructor
Robyn Jones ... Prostitute 1
Justine Rebecca Joseph ... Prostitute 2
Riaan Visman ... Clint Blignaut
Danica Carelse ... Young Gertie (30)
Khadija Heeger ... Tilla Cloete - Burgermeester
Evangeline Pharo ... Wesley's Mother
Oswin Christy Martin ... Homeless Person
Eben Groenewald ... Konstable Julies
Duncan Ownhouse ... IT Forensics
Hein Poole ... Evan
Liande Valentyn ... Female Police Officer
Martelize Kolver ... Phyllis
Liezel Swarts ... Sybil Grootboom
Ceagan Arendse ... Woelag
Waldemar Schultz ... Dean Wicomb
Jurgen McEwan ... Clem Pekeur
Silvia Esau ... Sister Kleintjie