Soutmansland

The story begins when Leendra van Hellberg (Deirdre Wolhuter) is released from prison after spending seven years incarcerated having being found guilty of murdering her lover. She returns home to her family in the small West Coast village of Soutmanspan, where her parents once owned a quarry before being killed in an explosion. Leendra believes the explosion was not an accident and is determined to find out who killed her parents. She believes that Gilbert Redelinghuys (André Odendaal), whose filthy rich father owns many properties in the town, had something to do with the murders. The Redelinghuys's also own a piece of land called Vlaktevlei which they used to lease to the municipality. That lease has now expired and the family wants the Coloured community living there to move out to make way for the development of a holiday resort.

Directed by Esta Steyn, Soutmansland leans on a strong ensemble — Deirdre Wolhuter, Dawid Minaar, Neil Sandilands — to carry a story that balances spectacle with character.

The series landed with audiences for its craft and performances, and remains one of the most talked-about drama titles of 2000.