“I am the mother”
Hilda finds the daughter she gave up for adoption.
7de Laan Weekdays SABC2 (*192) 18:00
Businesswoman Mariaan’s (Deirdre Wolhuter) adoption scandal sends shockwaves through Hillside with a new twist this fortnight – and no one takes it harder than Hilda (Annelisa Weiland). For years she has suffered in silence about giving up her daughter as a teen mom, but she gets a surprise on Wednesday 31 January: her daughter has been right in front of her the whole time!
DNA DOESN’T LIE
Mariaan was stunned in early January 2018 when Frieda (Magda Beukes) claimed to be her biologic mother. A letter from her Granny Betsy (the role was never cast) confirmed later that Mariaan is adopted and “this revelation rocked her,” says Deirdre. Worse yet, a DNA test on Wednesday 31 January confirms that Frieda isn’t Mariaan’s mom either! “Mariaan feels conflicted and is sorry for Frieda, but she’s also furious with herself for letting her guard down and starting to believe that Frieda is her real mother.” Hilda, who is Mariaan’s Hillside bestie confidant, offers support later that same day, but viewers will notice Hilda’s strange relief at the news. At the end of the episode, local businessman Marko (Francois Lensley) checks in on Hilda and she drops a bomb on him: Mariaan is her daughter.
ZIP YOUR LIPS
Marko returns on Thursday 1 February to get more details but “Hilda is in a state,” says Annelisa. “She tells him everything and that she’s confirmed her suspicions with official documentation.” Marko is sympathetic to Hilda and tries to convince her to tell Mariaan the truth, but Hilda refuses. An emotionally broken Mariaan meanwhile stops searching for her birth mom on Friday 2 February. Deirdre explains that her character has a family she loves and that should be more than enough for her. “It’s time to move on and by still digging further to find something will only cause more suffering.”
FOR THE CHILDREN
Hilda regrets her decision to stay quiet on Monday 5 February when she sees her secret grandkids Amorey (Kristen Raath), Rickus (André Lotter) and Alexa (Carina Nel). “Hilda is overwhelmed because she can’t tell them,” says Annelisa. Will timid Hilda have the courage to tell Mariaan who she really is?