Isidingo
Hendrik struggles to get on top of his career and family life.
Isidingo Weekdays SABC3 (*193) 19:00
New hostel boss Hendrik (Gérard Rudolf) is excited about his career, but as Gérard hints, trouble may be around the corner. “Hendrik follows things to the letter. Many colleagues and even family members don’t agree with this method and it has the potential for conflict in The Deep.” And that’s what creeps up on Thursday 25 May when Hendrik goes head to head with Sibeko Gold shift boss Matlala (Robert Mpisi), who’s got the miners on his side.
DISCIPLINE
Hendrik implements rules in the hostel on Thursday 25 May as “he’s trying to make it a safer place,” explains Gérard. “There are two things that he wants to put an end to: alcohol and prostitutes.” Before Hendrik was appointed in early May when Sibeko Gold and Haines International merged, the two vices were the only “entertainment” for the miners and taking that away will anger them, as well as Matlala who’s got to deal with the miners directly.
MORALS
“Hendrik’s social skills aren’t great and he’s trying to find his way around the mine still, but no one’s helping – the miners have even told him that he isn’t welcome in Horizon Deep,” says Gérard. “He and Matlala try to compromise on the proposed changes on [Friday 26 May] but conservative Hendrik’s having a tough time turning a blind eye.” He’s sitting uncomfortably between a rock and a hard place. He has a lot on his plate with the hostel and he’s also dealing with other issues like broken equipment, late payments, overtime and management politics. Matlala is also using his relationship with the miners to make Hendrik look like the enemy on Tuesday 30 May using discrimination tactics.
ETHICS
And more drama’s waiting for Hendrik at home. His teens Anja and Zandre (Lee Visagie and Deandre Reiners) are bunking school and causing trouble on the streets from Thursday 1 June. “His family life is all over the place and he is frustrated,” says Gérard. “He comes home from the mines overworked and in a bad mood to his kids and unhappy wife Lalage (Elma Postma), which is a problem because he takes out his day’s frustration on them. He wants the best for his family, but he is misguided on how he goes about things…”