Loyal viewers launched a petition to keep the telenovela ‘Kelders van geheime’ on the box. (Photo: Facebook/Kelders van Geheime – Gesels Saam)
With nearly two million viewers faithfully tuning into e.tv daily to follow the ups and downs of the families on Soebatskloof, there is great dismay at the news that Cellars of secretthe popular Afrikaans TV drama, will disappear from the box office in six months.
e.tv confirmed in a statement last Thursday that it had decided “after careful consideration” to end its first locally produced Afrikaans daily telenovela. The channel claims the decision is part of a wider review of its content strategy.
“This letter serves as notification that Cellars of secret will end on Friday 28 August 2026. We did not take this decision lightly, but the changing South African television landscape necessitated it,” the statement reads.
Loyal viewers have now launched a petition to try and convince e.tv to reconsider the decision and Cellars of secret keep its doors open.
According to Karen Meiring, producer of the series, the petition, which has already received thousands of signatures within a few days, is a “belt under the heart” for the entire team who work with such dedication on the production.
“I believe e.tv is already aware of the petition. At this stage, however, there is no indication whether it carries weight for them. One can only hope that they will reconsider.”
(Photo: TVSA)
Since the series debuted in 2024, Cellars of secret provided a platform for many actors, technicians and production members to express their creativity. With the announcement that the telenovela is being discontinued, many of them may be out of a job in six months.
“As producers, we have to do the responsible thing in the meantime, and that is to look after our company and technical team – people who will be out of work in six months in an industry where there are currently few other opportunities on the horizon.”
According to Meiring, the emotional impact of the decision on the actors and technical team is the most difficult part of the whole process and she describes the mood as one of shared uncertainty.
“The hardest part is seeing how the cancellation puts the team up and behind the cameras. At this stage, it feels like we’re all in the same boat heading for nowhere.”
Although there are viewers who hope that the series can move to a platform like kykNET or a streaming service, the issue is more complicated. Because the intellectual property of Cellars of secret belongs to e.tv, such a move would only be possible with its consent.
“Broadcasters see each other as big competitors and therefore often don’t look at the bigger picture of the impact that business decisions have on a sensitive industry. I don’t think such a move is feasible,” says Meiring.
It is especially the timing of the cancellation that hits the team hard. The series received eight nominations from the South African Film and TV Awards (Saftas), an achievement Meiring describes as “unreal and bittersweet”.
Plans for a third season were also well advanced.
“The third season would just go on and air seamlessly. We have already planned storylines, which will now simply be used in the extension of season two,” she explains.
No quality will be compromised, says Meiring.
“We have some of the best writers in the country and they will certainly not neglect anything. In fact, there are still many nice surprises waiting.”
Although the chance of a turnaround is slim, Meiring says the overwhelming support from the public shows how deeply the series has crept into viewers’ hearts.
“I am convinced that if the petition were to reach one or two million signatures, it is definitely something that should be considered. However, for us it is also about the gesture itself – especially for an Afrikaans telenovela.
“This level of support is incredibly encouraging and means more to us than people realize.”
Meiring is also determined that the legacy of Cellars of secret will live on. She says “the Kelders family will always stand together”.
“There is no final chapter in our books. We will always find ways to support the team and the stories, even if the series does not continue as planned.”