Edward Tsumele

Edward Tsumele

Singer and actress Judy Hugo is not shy to concede that she suffers from an uncontrollable disease; she and her seven-year-old daughter, Yvonne, are soapie addicts.

She says: "I watch soapies every week with my daughter and I have been a fan since they started. I love Muvhango, Generations, 7de Laan and Scandal.

"My favourite characters are Karabo in Generations, Lollie in Isidingo, Doobsie in Muvhango, Nirvana in Scandal and Vanessa in 7de Laan.

"Sometimes it is difficult to choose which soapie to watch because their schedules clash. Scandal and Isidingo both come on at 6.30pm, making it difficult for us to choose between the two. Now we watch Isidingo and catch Scandal during commercial breaks."

Hugo lives in Braamfontein, Johannesburg. She says being a soapie addict can interfere with family life because her day is arranged around which soapie to watch. These are life-determining choices that she and her daughter have to make.

"Luckily, because we're both soapie addicts, there's no argument about whether to watch soapies or other TV programmes. My daughter calls me five minutes before the soapie starts, even if I am cooking, so that we can both enjoy the show.

"Sometimes the soapies interfere with my cooking," she says breaking into laughter.

Born in Kimberley in the Northern Cape, Hugo is also an actress and played a small part as an extra in her favourite soapie, Generations, last year.