Welcome to Hillside!
The Visagie family have just moved to Hillside and we can’t wait to spend some quality time with them.
Anew year often means new beginnings, an opportunity to start afresh. But in 7de Laan, that means a brand-new family calling Hillside their new home. Introducing the Visagie family – father Werner (Zak Hendrikz), mom Tanya (Liezl de Kock), son Uys (Daniel Coetzee) and grandmother Augusta (Hannelie Warren). Coming from humble beginnings in Groblersdal in Mpumalanga, they packed their bags and moved to Hillside and, honestly, we already love them!
“The show needed a down-to-Earth, salt-of-the-Earth and relatable kind of family,” explains show publicist Kayleen Bessit. “It needed a family that’s not always on the warpath, plotting to take down whoever gets in their way of achieving happiness or success. A family in which South African families can see themselves and their own family dynamics.” In short, they’re just an ordinary family looking to get through each day with honesty, integrity and respect for others. We can definitely see ourselves popping in for Sunday roast lunch with the Visagie family!
MOVIN’ ON UP
The Visagies never had the easy life, having had to work hard to make ends meet. And while they were never dirtpoor, they have immense appreciation for the simpler things in life. So why the big move to The Laan? According to Kayleen, it was never planned. “It’s really all by accident. Uys studies in Hillside at the flight school in the hopes of becoming a pilot. Werner and Tanya arrive in Hillside to surprise their son with the news that they’re finally married after many years together!” However, their temporary visit becomes a permanent residence when a series of events, and a promising job opportunity for Tanya, draws them into the Hillside family.
FAMILIAR FACES
While the Visagies are new to most of the Laaners, there are at least two locals who know the Visagies all too well – paramedic Tjattas (Rikus Strauss) and his mom Hettie (Karin van der Laag), who is Tanya’s big sis. Kayleen says it will soon be clear that there’s bad blood with Hettie and the Visagies. “Tjattas is quite happy to see them. However, Hettie not so much as there are things that happened in the past that created distance.”
Adding to the potential drama in the new year is the fact that the family, as with all Hillsiders, have a few skeletons they’d rather keep well hidden. “They have their fair share of secrets that’ll be revealed through their respective storylines,” is all Kayleen is willing to divulge.
UYS VISAGIE –
ARRIVED 31 DECEMBER
• Wild, obnoxious and cocky
• Elements of misogyny
• Cool as a cucumber
Born out of wedlock and raised in Groblersdal, Uys was never fully aware of just how much his parents had to sacrifice for him. A bit of a rebel, he and his high school girlfriend had a pregnancy scare, but this just jolted him into action. Now a student at the pilot academy, he’s eager to spread his wings and explore the world. “He just wants to make his parents and peers proud by becoming a pilot and he aims to live life vivaciously whenever he can,” says Daniel. Having been the head boy at school and overly popular, he has a bit of a chip on his shoulder.
But that’s where his charm comes in handy, winning the hearts of both young and old – he’ll find himself hanging out with the young bunch of Hillside in no time.
DID YOU KNOW?
Daniel is part of 7de Laan’s longrunning internship programme and he will be on our screens for the next 12 months – but he could stay on if viewers fall in love with him. Previous interns who aced a permanent role include Romeo (Clint Aplon) and
Gabby (Blyde Smit).