Art imitating life at local retirement home

Retirement homes are envisioned as being places of tranquil peace and blissful serenity. Bubbling under that calm is a world of unique and often side-splitting shenanigans that would seem stranger than fiction.

Transferring the hilarity of quiet village gossip to the television screen is Willie Esterhuizen and his popular series, Huis Lelieveld. Wrapping up filming of the latest season at the end of February, Huis Lelieveld has been using a local retirement home as its location for just over two years now. Zonneveld Village, administrated by Flower Foundation, has presented a unique opportunity to residents to see themselves on the tube.

Using the residents as regular extras on the show, a competitive pride has sprouted among them as they clamour to get a spot in the background. One such resident is Janet Grobler who has been at the Village for seven years. “Don’t look at the camera and just blend in,” is how Janet described the direction she received from Esterhuizen. “It’s really fun to be part of the show and it’s become an event where we all watch it together,” raved Janet.

Rumours are abound that the Village’s complaint register is a main source of inspiration for the situational comedy. From suspicious tea appointments to stolen hosepipes, Huis Lelieveld captures the essence of Witpoortjie retirement home living.

With this, Zonneveld Village and its residents can be proud of their contribution to South African television.