Generations stars' rights were violated - actor

Johannesburg - The SABC and production company MMSV violated the human rights of the Generations actors by making their salaries public, actress Nambitha Mpumlwana said on Tuesday.

"What was said on Friday was unethical, it exposed us," Mpumlwana, who plays the role of Mawande in the soap opera, told reporters in Johannesburg.

"We are embarrassed because we are private individuals and we don't want our private details in the public sphere."

MMSV owner Mfundi Vundla told reporters on Friday that the soap opera's actors received an average salary of R55 000 a month, and not "peanuts" as they had claimed.

Mpumlwana, and 15 other Generations actors who were fired last week after they went on strike, formed the Generations Actors Guild (GAG).

GAG was formed to improve the salaries and working conditions of the 16 actors, and all actors at the SABC.

Many of them, who were seated on stage at the Barney Simon theatre in Newtown, became emotional during the briefing.

Actors who were fired and part of GAG include Menzi Ngubane, who plays the character of ruthless businessman Sbusiso Dlomo, Patrick Shai (Patrick Tlaole), Sophie Ndaba (Queen Ndaba), Seputla Sebogodi (Kenneth Mashaba), Winnie Ntshaba (Khetiwe Buthelezi), and Katlego Danke (Dineo Dlomo).

They claimed the broadcaster and MMSV had failed to deliver on promises it made to them during their strike last year.

They were reportedly promised three-year contracts, which they had not received.

They also wanted salary adjustments.

Vundla said on Friday that the production company had a contract with the SABC and had to deliver.

"We have the responsibility to deliver episodes on time to live up to our contract."