Cape Town - Actors and TV crew of embattled isiZulu TV drama, Uselwa, marched to SABC headquarters in Auckland Park, Johannesburg, to deliver a memorandum of demand after they were left “stranded” in Eshowe, Shakaland, where the series was being shot.
The historical isiZulu drama is reportedly in financial trouble. Actors claim they were kicked out of their production lodgings, that some were ill on set and that most of the cast and crew had not received their pay.
Cast member Ferry Jele expressed her frustration on social media, asking, “How does anybody with a conscience begin to subject professionals, people who are making an honest living, to this? And how do you get people out of their home, with no money to pay them. We are talking about men and women who have families, kids to support and homes to run.”
Uselwa’s director, King Shaft, expressed his disappointment at what has taken place.
“We could have just left KwaZulu-Natal when trouble started, but we believe in the story. We want African stories told the right way. But actors also need to eat and pay their bills. How does a production move from having a R4 million budget to having R13?” he asked.
King Shaft said the production company responsible for the payments has gone to ground and cannot be found.
SABC’s management representative David Makubyane said, “It is unfortunate what has happened. We are making sure the cast and the crew are not impacted negatively.”
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