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Johannesburg – Striking Generations stars have been fired with immediate effect, according to reports.
Eyewitness News reported on Monday that Mfundi Vundla, executive producer and creator of Generations, has confirmed that 16 cast members, who ignored the call to return to work, were fired.
EWN said the dismissal of the cast follows a year-long dispute between the actors, SABC and Vundla.
According to the Mail & Guardian, a statement released on behalf of the dismissed actors, they said they were sad by the turn of events but remained steadfast to their original goal to ensure fair working conditions.
Earlier Channel24 reported that striking cast members were given an ultimatum to show up for work on Monday or be fired.
The actors said that "there's little dignity in being associated with Africa's most popular TV drama" and that it's a constant struggle to even try and buy a car.
The Generations cast went on strike for the whole of last week for the second time in 10 months.
The unprecedented strike follows after the actors on the SABC's biggest TV soap were coaxed back to work in November last year following the first strike – demanding longer three year contracts they say were promised to them, as well as better payment, and back payments for rebroadcasts.
Similar to the cast of Friends in 1995 and earlier this year with the cast of the American comedy The Big Bang Theory, the striking Generations cast are united as a collective group, willing to walk away from the highly successful and lucrative 21 year old primetime TV soap if better deals and agreements with the SABC and MMVS Productions are not agreed upon.
The television brinkmanship is massive and the Generations cast embarked on a second stay-away because there's real leverage: It will be lose-lose if the SABC goes ahead with its threat to fire the large group of actors.
It's their familiar and famous faces that 7.5 million viewers tune in for on weeknights on SABC1.
Generations star Katlego Danke tweeted:
Dear fans pls read and tweet the following open letter concerning our strike. Your support is greatly appreciated. https://t.co/OcKYKEj3Ez
— Katlego Danke (@KatlegoDanke) August 18, 2014Anga Makubalo tweeted:
!!!!!!!!!! pic.twitter.com/Yp4c06ZQBj
— Anga Makubalo (@NaakMusiQ) August 18, 2014
Generations fans had this to say via Twitter
Imagine Generations gets worse than it is at the moment. God be with all of you faithful viewers.
— Prof. Vusani (@Vusani_) August 18, 20142moro even @MusaMoousse: I'd like to see how long this firing of generations actors will last. They will be reinstated soon enough."
— Mandy Stoto (@Mandy_Stoto) August 18, 2014I dont care about Generations i jus feel for the ppl who lost thier jobs ....for some Gen was the only stable job they had
— Pretty Mpaks (@PrettyMpaks) August 18, 2014
...And as far an Mfundi Vundla goes, dude built Generations up from a seasonal once a week show... Respect that!
— Sizwe Dhlomo (@SizweDhlomo) August 18, 2014The SABC has money to pay Hlaudi but none for actors in South Africa's favourite soapie. This is an insult to the people, gha! #Generations
— Phumzile Van Damme (@zilevandamme) August 18, 2014Going straight to an audition for #SibusisoDhlomo on #Generations I really think the CEO look suits me ;)
— Sias du Plessis (@siasduplessis) August 18, 2014
