Soapie won't be the best

Producers of the SABC2 soap opera 7de Laan are disappointed at being excluded for consideration from the South African Film and Television Awards' best soapie category.

It has won the best soapie of the year award twice.

Colin Howard, line producer of Danie Odendaal Productions, said they were unaware of the National Film and Video Foundation's policy to exclude productions from this category if they elected not to submit entries in the performance categories.

"All soaps broadcast in SA should be eligible regardless," Howard said.

He said the exclusion of 7de Laan confirmed their reservations about Safta's selection procedures.

Howard said: "To insist that performance awards be judged on a maximum of three episodes makes no sense. No single episode could effectively showcase the work of a cast member."

Eddie Mbalo, Safta committee chairperson, said "programmes that submit during the specified time are eligible".

"In the case of the TV soap 7de Laan, who ... did not enter for competition therefore cannot compete in the public vote."