Outrage is rising in Mayibuye and surrounding communities as more than 50 young people accused Lawadi Casting Agency of failing to pay them for work done on the hit telenovela Genesis.

The residents who were cast as extras said they had waited more than three months for the money they were promised, and that patience was running thin.

They claimed they were booked for filming in August and September, and provided screenshots of booking confirmations to back their story. But despite repeated follow-ups, they alleged the agency had ignored their messages. Some said the debt had pushed them to the brink, with at least one young person reporting homelessness as a direct result.

Read more: Residents claim casting agency still owes them money for August shoot

Genesis, which premiered in April 2025 on DStv channel 161, is a high-stakes drama set in the gospel music industry and airs on weekdays at 19:30. According to the affected residents, they were booked for shoot dates on August 6, September 23, and September 27, with each extra promised R250 per shoot.

Filming reportedly took place at two locations in Glen Austin, Midrand. But months later, the residents are still waiting for compensation.

Mayibuye resident Lusanda Mapundu said she feels betrayed. “I was booked by an agency called Lawadi to shoot on Genesis. They haven’t paid us; it’s been three months. When we text them, they block us,” she claimed.

She added that many of those affected borrowed money to travel to the set. “Some people are struggling to pay rent, and someone in our group was kicked out of where he was staying.”

Another unpaid extra, Favourite Mokonotela, who claimed she was owed R750 for three shoot days, alleged her messages to the agency have gone unanswered. “Since August, I have not received my payment. It’s almost four months now,” she said.

A third resident, who asked to remain anonymous, said the situation had left them homeless. “I couldn’t pay rent, and the landlord kicked me out. I borrowed money to get to the shoot… now the people I borrowed from want their money. As we speak, I don’t have a place to stay. A friend took me in for a few days… now it’s been months.”

In response, Genesis executive manager Sinini Mati said the production was not responsible for the payment delays; it was the casting agency. “All Lawadi invoices have been paid. Genesis doesn’t owe the agency anything,” said Mati.

Also read: Midrand siblings take the music and event world by storm

Lawadi Casting Agency partner Xolani Luthuki confirmed that payments were delayed and apologised. He said the agency was expected to pay extras between late November and early December.

“We are almost finished getting all the information on the actors [and actresses] that are owed, and the money will be disbursed at once as our system allows,” he explained.

Luthuki said the agency had faced internal problems. “The company messed up. We trusted some people who managed the funds, but they really messed up, and we even pressed charges against the person handling the account. There was a real crisis, and we are solving it right now.”

He added that while all extras would be paid, some may receive partial payments first, depending on the number of cast affected.

“They will get what is due to them… It might not be all the money because of the volume of cast, but they will get a portion. We are sorry; we know we messed up, and we are taking ownership.”

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