Kniediep in die Warm Water is a trailblazing series for a number of reasons. It is the first SABC drama series to be produced in Port Elizabeth, indeed the first provincially, outside the main production centres of Johannesburg and Cape Town.
SABC showed their deep commitment to Regional Development by commissioning Sunshine Coast Studios and their co-producer Obed ( both PE-based Production Companies ) with this 13 episode Afrikaans Comedy series.
Sunshine Coast has been creating content for SABC since 2012, primarily in the Religion genre, with episodes of the long-running documentary series Issues of Faith and most recently with the popular magazine show Slice of Light. (also SABC2)
Series Producer Colin Ward said – “ We have always wanted to produce a Drama series for SABC right here in the Eastern Cape. We have a long history in Drama and I knew we had a lot of local talent to fill the roles in front of and behind the camera. SABC guided the process by partnering us with experienced industry crew. The series was an incredible training opportunity for our local cast and crew. They performed their roles with absolute excellence and we are extremely proud of them.“
The series introduces audiences to the comic menagerie of incompetent staff at Wonderwaters – a boutique hotel and spa on the sparkling Port Elizabeth beachfront.
Kniediep in die Warm Water is an ensemble comedy, where appearances prove very different to reality. Though the staff try as they might to keep up the luxurious facade, the guests confuse them, the facilities confound them and no one can say hoekom Wonderwaters se water so wonderlik is nie!
Starring well-loved South African actors Jacques Gombault,(Getroud met Rugby, 7de Laan, Kruispad ) Chanelle de Jager (Projek Dina, Die Boekklub, Egoli) Clara Joubert van den Bergh(Orkney Snork Nie, Uitvlugt, Vlug na Egipte) and a host of fresh new local faces, such as Lize-Mari Arthur, Heather Baartman and Benito Carelsen.
Some supporting and/or guest cast members across the series include Eric Nobbs, Fiks Mahola (7de Laan, Slice of Light), local rapper Earl “Early B” Swartz, Carel Trichardt and Petru Wessels. The show also features the final screen performance of the legendary Nomhle Nkonyeni. Highly proficient in Afrikaans, Nomhle makes a star turn as Xhosa Princess Ndiliswa.
Sunshine Coast Producer Nicola Barbour spoke about some of the obstacles they had faced and how they overcame them – “No one thought we could do this, but we did. For a start, there wasn’t a local studio here anywhere close to the size we needed. - The floor space, the ceiling height, in a safe area, and then when one starts thinking about parking for 40 people and off-shoot areas for catering, wardrobe etc, it becomes a bit daunting. Luckily we found the ideal hall space in Westering and quickly converted it into a fully functional studio. Fred Kohler, a local cabinet maker built our sets on site and when the Johannesburg actors arrived, they immediately noticed them and commented on their outstanding craftsmanship. We were very chuffed with that. I think we in Port Elizabeth are all too familiar with being somewhat disparaged by people from the larger centres.
So it is wonderful that the SABC has taken their development mandate seriously, believed and invested in the Eastern Cape in this way. Through this, we are now able to show the Nation the quality, creativity and excellence in production that there is in this town.”
The series was directed by renowned South African director David Lister, who has directed many classics on TV & film, such as Torings, Known Gods, The Big Time and Oh Shucks here comes UNTAG.
Co-Producer and Concept Creator Danie Matthee said of the show’s development – “I love comedy. I have written and produced a number of stage comedies in the Bay. It’s funny you know, I just always had the feeling that one day I would be part of making a TV sitcom. So when Colin and Nicky (Sunshine Coast Producers Colin Ward and Nicola Barbour) mentioned this Afrikaans Sitcom Open Brief, I said – ‘Hey I have something perfect for that!’ Kniediep was a stage play that I had produced over 10years ago, but I knew that it would adapt itself perfectly to TV. Pitching the concept at Auckland Park, was really exciting and for some reason, I just knew inside that we had won them over and would get to make the show.”
The Kniediep set proved different to other sets for many people. Nicola Barbour - “Everyone commented on the number of believers we had on set. It was very faith-filled. This is not normally the case at all! We have faced some serious obstacles on this project, but we have seen God’s guiding hand on it from start to finish. It’s really incredible to be sitting on the other side of things now and we are very grateful to our Silent Partner.”
Starring Jacques Gombault, Chanelle de Jager, Clara Joubert van den Bergh and a host of fresh new faces, it airs every Wednesday at 7.30 pm on SABC2
Episode one flighted last week – catch up right here!
