To celebrate this milestone, the country’s top daily soapie will take viewers back to where it all began all those years ago by rebroadcasting the first episode at 20:00 on SABC3.

Hailed as a breakthrough in local television soapie, Isidingo very quickly became a firm favourite with viewers across the spectrum since its debut in 1998. Created by Gray Hofmeyr, Isidingo explores the lives of the inhabitants of Horizon Deep, and their wealthier counterparts at ONTV! – a television station that moved from Johannesburg to The Deep. The newcomers, the Sibeko family - owners of the first mining project of its kind in Africa, the Ultra Deep project – are not spared any scrutiny.

The characters and storylines deal with the social and personal issues affecting ordinary South Africans daily; heartache, fear, love, failure and triumph. These stories take place on Horizon Deep, Sibeko Gold, The Duncan Hotel, the Rec Club, the glamorous surroundings of ONTV! and Bra Georgie’s shebeen

In its decade and a half, Isidingo has received many accolades. From the Artes Awards of bygone eras to the SAFTA’s of today, the soapie has been collecting awards as judged by professional peers and the television viewing public. The most recent award is the 2012 SAFTA Award for Best TV Soap.

Isidingo has played a major role in catapulting the careers of many of South Africa’s popular and celebrated actors. They include Rapulana Seiphemo, Jamie Bartlett, Akin Omotoso and Hlomla Dandala. Omotoso, Seiphemo and Bartlett having been in that very first episode – that will be rebroadcast on Friday, 19 July.

A review of that very first episode fifteen years later will reveal more interesting details. For instance, an exciting fact that people may not have known is that Don Mlangeni (Zeb Matabane) has been on the soapie since the very first scene of the very first episode.

The show can boast a number of firsts that challenged the status quo and ultimately playing a significant role in efforts to build a new society.

The list of firsts includes but is not limited to;

First on television to feature a mixed race couple;
First to have a story that deals with HIV and AIDS; and
First to feature a gay couple kissing on screen.

Isidingo has built a formidale track record that makes all involved proud and inspired to achieve more.

“This is an outstanding milestone for Isidingo and we are very proud and pleased to be associated with one of the country’s and Africa’s top-drawer daily dramas,” commented SABC3's marketing manager, Risuna Mayimele. “The sopie has played a role greater than just pure entertainment. It has tackled social issues with impact and integrity. We would like to salute/ thank the production team from Endemol for creating magic that our viewers can look forward to every weekday at 19:30.”

With over 3000 episodes in the bag, Isidingo will continue to showcase its One Nation Viewing tag. The show has had an intriguing storyline that includes people from all walks of life – from ordinary mine shaft workers to wealthy executives – and serves as a reflection of South Africa in the new millennium.

Watch the first episode of Isidingo on Friday, 19 July at 20:00.