The Villagers was the first English-language drama produced for South African television, first airing in April 1976 on SABC, only four months after television was first broadcast nationwide in South Africa. It was acclaimed at the time for its high quality and was well received by audiences, gaining a cult following in later years. The drama was written by John Cundill and directed by Gray Hofmeyr. It is regarded as the forerunner to the long running South African television series Isidingo, a soap opera also set in a gold mining town on the Witwatersrand.
Set in a small mining town on the Witwatersrand, it focuses on the operations of the fictional Village Reef gold mine. The story is set following the unexpected death of the mine's general manager; it is widely anticipated that the assistant manager, Buller Wilmot, will be appointed to the position. However, the role is given instead to Hilton McRae, a newcomer. The story focuses on both the community's adjustment to McRae's leadership and the McRae family's adaptation to life in a small town.
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