‘Generations’ creator eats humble pie
Production on popular SABC1 soap opera 'Generations' will return to normal on Wednesday, following a highly publicised disagreement between show creator Mfundi Vundla and numerous cast members, who have been on strike for five weeks.
Generations logo Image courtesy of Facebook.com
Twelve of the show’s main cast members took a stand earlier in October after their demands for three-year contracts and wage increases were rebuffed by executive producer Vundla, who argued that such lengthy commitments would take away his freedom to write out characters or dismiss actors he felt weren’t performing well enough.
At the onset of the dispute, Vundla brazenly insisted that he would not back down, as he had enough episodes to keep the show going without the actors, who he also said he would just write out if they refused to concede defeat.
“Nobody is bigger than ‘Generations’,” were his alleged words.
He has, however, been forced to gulp down some humble pie as Channel24 reports that a temporary agreement has been reached amidst “heated discussions and intense pressure from all sides”.
The twelve striking cast members – Sophie Ndaba (Queen), Katlego Danke (Dineo), Anga Makubalo (MJ), Menzi Ngubane (Sibusiso), Zenande Mfenyana (Noluntu), Mandla Gaduka (Choppa), Winnie Modise (Khethiwe), Maggie Benedict (Akhona), Thato Molamu (Nicholas), Zolisa Xaluva (Jason), Thami Mngqolo (Senzo) and Slindile Nodangala (Ruby) – have agreed to resume filming under the reported condition that the finer details of their new three-year contracts and wage negations are finalised within the next three months. They will apparently also receive back pay for October.
‘Generations’ airs from Monday to Friday at 8pm on SABC1.
– TeamTalk
