Coming up on
Skemergrond tonight (17 July 2025):
Denver Vraagom as Mr Hallelujah!, Minister Wayne Ackerman.
This is the Gospel according to Denver with details on his character:
Denver: Wayne Ackerman is the kind of reverend who challenges stereotypes. He’s unorthodox - an energetic, funky minister who uses humour and creativity to make faith more accessible to everyone in the church.
For him, singing is the best way to spread a message - no matter how off-key or flat you’re singing.
Instead of long, formal sermons, he prefers to share his message during a walk in the garden or along the river.
He quickly grows attached to the congregation and the wider community.
Is Dominee Wayne a man who’s going to shake things up?
Denver: One aunt in the congregation finds him incredibly annoying at first, but she’ll later come to realise she actually likes his approach.
He even plants real plants inside the church. Why not? Things need to be livened up.
Church should be a place for everyone. Fill the building with life.
What do you enjoy most about playing a minister?
Denver: Strangely enough, I always wanted to be a minister when I was a child - I was an altar boy back then. But drama and sport eventually took over my life.
What makes this role so enjoyable is that it’s a new challenge. I can play only so many gangsters and messed-up characters! So, Dominee Wayne brings out a different side of me. A softer side.
A side that’s become more important to me - especially since I started my sober journey.
You, your wife, Ingrid Paulus, and your daughters, Skye and Hannah, recently moved to the Cape. What do you enjoy most about your life here?
I'm back where it all began for me, 32 years ago. Ingrid now has the chance to explore new possibilities.
She recently did some radio work, including a radio drama and directing book readings. She's also doing some dubbing again.
The kids love the beach, of course, and we’re just a five-minute walk from the ocean here in Saldanha Bay.
And we’re closer to my family, who I didn’t see much of for nearly 20 years.
Flash facts on Denver:
He stopped drinking alcohol seven years ago.
Denver's big break came in 2003 when he joined 7de Laan as Sheldon Adams. He was on the show until 2011.
He's played two characters on Scandal! - Quintin Williams and Ferdinand.
He's been married to his fellow 7de Laaner
Ingrid Paulus since 2005.
His repertoire also includes roles on Suidooster, Diepe Waters and SABC2's Swartwater, Fishy Fêshuns and Erfsondes.