Ma-plotters (1988)
- Comedy
Directed by: Merwede van der Merwe, William Egan
Written by: P.G. du Plessis
Ma-plotters is an Afrikaans tragicomic television series created by writer P.G. du Plessis. The show centers on the eccentric, resilient, and often desperate characters living on smallholdings in the rural South African platteland.
- Original title
- Ma-plotters
- Storyline
- Ma-plotters is a classic Afrikaans tragicomic SAUK (SABC) television series created by acclaimed South African writer P.G. du Plessis, directed by Merwede van der Merwe, and starring Eric Nobbs, Rina Nienaber and Phillip Wolfaardt. First broadcast in 1987-1988, the show centers on the eccentric, resilient, and often desperate characters living on smallholdings (plots) in the rural South African platteland. The plot explores the clash between traditional rural life and the encroaching modern world. It follows a quirky, tight-knit community of working-class families, farmers, and dreamers who reside on smallholdings on the outskirts of a rural town. Instead of wealthy, manicured estates, these characters live "hard" but colorful lives, dealing with the harsh realities of agricultural small-farming, livestock disputes, local auctions, and daily survival. The series takes a humorous, empathetic look at the ma-plotter lifestyle, characterized by making ends meet, a fierce independence, and a deep connection to the land and animals. It blends gritty, slice-of-life realism with Du Plessis' signature conversational wit and warmth, balancing comedic neighborhood feuds with poignant personal struggles. The core of the plot revolves around how these neighbors interact with town elites, navigate changing economic times, and rely on one another to survive the unpredictable nature of small-scale farming. The show is remembered as a cornerstone of South African television, showcasing authentic, earthy South African folklore and character-driven storytelling.
- Companies
- Sommatel, Brigadiers Films
- Release dates
- ZA September 21, 1988