Muvhango fires Thandaza and Susan
The top actors were fired after they arrived on set on Tuesday and "refused to shoot unless the SABC re-evaluated their contracts".
Sindi Dlathu and Brian Themba’s characters during their television wedding. Picture: Gallo Images
Word of Mouth Productions has announced it has parted ways with its top five actors; Sindi Dlathu (Thandaza), Siyabonga (Dingaan) Khumalo (James), Gabriel Temudzani (Azwindini), Maumela Mahuwa (Susan), and Buhle Samuels (Matshediso).
According to a statement on Muvhango’s Facebook page, the top actors were fired after they arrived on set on Tuesday and “refused to shoot unless the SABC re-evaluated their contracts”.
The five actors reportedly claimed to be the ones who pull viewers to the show, hence their demand for better salaries.
“Various negotiations with the show’s producers did not yield any results. Morishe Matlejoane, Muvhango’s producer and Tessa Made, the creative director, tried to get the actors to at least work and make sure that the show goes on but the actors would not budge. Matters got into a spin when the five started trying to influence other actors to join their industrial action,” the statement read.
The five actors are said to have exchanged nasty words with Duma Ndlovu, who reportedly tried to appeal to the actors, most of whom were groomed and nurtured by him, who then called in the SABC but the five actors would not hear of it.
When SABC COO, Mr. Hlaudi Motsoeneng, who is away on a business trip overseas was contacted and he reportedly told Word of Mouth to go the same route with Generations. Generations lost 16 of its top actors and survived to come back and occupy the number 2 slot in the most watched television programs in the country. Muvhango is reportedly third on the list.
But then again, one should not forget that today is April Fools Day, so Muvhango could be messing up with their viewers. We will have to wait and see how the story unfolds.
Share your thoughts, do you think Muvhango is pulling an April Fools Day on us?
