Werner the hero
Just when things were looking bad for him, there’s a light at the end of Werner’s tunnel
Hillside is a small suburb, so when Werner (Zak Hendrikz) loses his job and starts begging for work on a street corner, it’s no surprise that he gets spotted! Just two days after being fired, Werner’s secret is exposed and he hangs his head in shame. “The main reason he lost his first job is because he had mixed up a client’s medication due to his condition called Trauma Acquired Dyslexia. His family was so proud of him finding employment, he couldn’t bring himself to terms of disappointing them by letting them know he’s lost his work two days after being hired,” reveals Zak.
So, feeling ashamed, Werner takes to the streets with written board in hand, and begs for a job. But things blow up when his teen son Uys (Daniel Coetzee) spots his dad.
UNEMPLOYED AND DESPERATE
“When Uys sees Werner on the street corner, he’s shook when he realises what is written on it. He then immediately scores Werner a part-time job at Stasie Ses as a waiter and barman to help out his father financially,” says Daniel.
But Werner can’t shake the feeling that he’s disappointed his family. He can’t get over the fact that his son saw him begging. “He feels embarrassed that he lied and that Uys saw him in that awkward state,” adds Zak.
NOTHING LIKE FAMILY
Eventually the rest of the Visagie family find out and to Werner’s relief, they’re supportive – again. “They help him spruce up his CV to job hunt in style. Werner is very thankful and grateful that he has such a supporting and loving family that will stand by him through thick and thin,” says Zak.
While waiting for responses to his job applications, Werner decides to tag along on Community Police Forum patrols. And there’s light at the end of his tunnel – although his big break is disguised as a house break-in.
TURN-AROUND
Werner notices dodgy behaviour at the Welman house and calls DeWet’s (Dirk Stoltz) security firm to assist. Thanks to Werner’s quick thinking, the attempted break-in is stopped and DeWet is impressed with Werner. “When all this was happening, DeWet was at the Arcade, so he ordered Werner to stay and be on the lookout while DeWet was on his way with guards,” explains Dirk. “Werner’s bravery without panicking impresses DeWet.”
This boosts Werner’s confidence says Zak, adding that his character gets a job offer on the spot. “But whether the motives behind it is sincere, you’ll have to see for yourself,” says Zak.
PREVIOUSLY
Amorey made a terrifying discovery, Marvin cautioned Ivy not to get ahead of herself, and Alexa made a decision in the best interest of her own well-being. Werner was ecstatic about landing a new job, and Uys accidentally revealed Romeo’s secret to Shady.
IN THIS ISSUE
Khethiwe opens up to Aggie, who encourages her to stand by her values, and Alexa knocks on DeWet’s door for help. Uys asks Denzil for a job, and Amorey is determined to take back her life. Marvin invites Werner on another Community Police Forum patrol, and Fikani and Alexa struggle to get baby Nelo into a routine. The youngsters are feeling sad about the state of their love lives, and DeWet’s security firm prevents a break-in thanks to Werner’s quick thinking.
Aggie gushes over her returned-husband Vince’s romantic gesture, Bonita encourages DeWet to make amends with Lana, and Ivy and Augusta are at each other’s throats. Shady is excited at the prospect of a family wedding, Vanessa finds it hard to play the role of the boss while being a friend, and the Visagie-Peterson family challenge gets underway. An earthquake hits Hillside, DeWet is impressed with Bonita’s romantic efforts, and Vanessa feels betrayed. Romeo tries to confide in Ivy about his relationship with Khethiwe but Ivy’s mind is elsewhere, Tanya has a freak accident, and the Petersons enjoy Good Friday. DeWet meanwhile entertains the kids with an Easter egg hunt.
CAST: Aggie Ngwenya Mimi Mahlasela •Alexa Welman Carina Nel
•Amorey Welman Kristen Raath •André Vosloo Marcus Muller •Augusta Visagie Hannelie Warren •Bonita Meintjies Hildegardt Whites •Byron/ Trigger Ruben Engel •Chris Welman David Rees •Connie van der Lecq Quinne Brown Huffman •Denzil Jaques de Silva •DeWet Basson Dirk Stoltz
•Eddie Peterson El-Kody Langeveldt •Erika Basson Corine du Toit •Esti Reandi Grey •Evelina Meme Ditshego •Fikani Chauke Nicholas Nkuna
•Gabby Blyde Smith •Hettie Karin van der Laag •Ivy Peterson Nazli
George •Justin Dann-Jaques Mouton •Karmen Gabriella Linton •Kopano Thabo Mhlanga •Kotie Marian Hooman •Khethiwe Sesethu Ntombela
•Lana Basson Mila Guy •Lesedi Moloi KB Motsilanyane •Llewellyn Liaan Ferreira •Ludo (Ludwig) Venter Rubin Wissing •Mariaan Welman Deirdre Wolhuter •Marko Greyling Francois Lensley •Marvin Peterson Duncan Johnson •Mieke Basson Reze-Tiana Wessels •Mienkie Marijke Bezuidenhout
•Nadine Mmapule Tsholo •Nikki Basson Danielle Retief •Nozi Dimpho More
•Oom Bricks Nico Allers •Ouma Motta Khadija Heeger •Rhulani Sabelo Radebe •Romeo Peterson Clint Aplon •Shady (Crushanda) Vermeulen Beáta Bena Green •Shawn Basson Deànré Reiners •Tanya Visagie Liezl de Kock •Thomas Fouché Vian Singleton •Tjattas Rikus Strauss •Tumi Linda Sokhulu •Vanessa Ingrid Paulus •Uys Visagie Daniel Coetzee •Vee Peterson Zoey Volkwyn •Vince Meintjies Jacques Blignaut •Werner Visagie Zak Hendrikz •Zee “Zakhele” Ray Neo Buso