The cast of ‘Generations’ strike again
The cast of Generations have embarked on yet another strike as the SABC and MMSV Productions have failed to honour their commitments after promising to do so.
The current strike began on Monday August 11, 2014 as cast members of the hit South African soap are upset that MMSV Productions and the SABC have done absolutely nothing with regards to addressing the issues that the cast had from the previous strike despite promising that they would.
The original strike took place last October as the cast demanded that each cast member at least receives a 3-year contract as their shooting schedule is so congested that they can only commit themselves to Generations, and are unable to pursue other projects in order to "supplement" their income.
They also demanded royalties for episodes of Generations that are broadcast in other countries as well for MMSV productions and the SABC to review their payment rates and to bring them "in line with industry standards and norms".
However, these issues have still not been resolved as of yet. MMSV productions and the SABC promised the cast in November of last year that they will resolve the issues by March 2014 on the condition that the cast return to work.
The cast did what they were told and when March 2014 approached, the SABC and MMSV Productions requested an extension to July 31, 2014. The cast agreed and when the date came by, the SABC and MMSV Productions just let the deadline slip by with no indication whatsoever as to what their resolution was.
The cast explained the following regarding the situation: "We are essentially in exactly the same position we were in last October when we first went on strike. Nothing has been resolved. We came back to work after the first strike in good faith, on the understanding that all the issues that we’d brought up would be addressed by the SABC by this past March – a date that they set. Since then, they have missed their own deadline, and pushed the date out, with no discernable resolution to our grievances in sight. Instead, we’ve been ordered back to work and threatened with dismissal, with no explanation of why our issues have not been resolved".
Following the strike, the SABC have ordered the cast to return to work or face "immediate dismissal" with no word or reference on how they plan to resolve the issue.
The cast have since responded to the SABC by declining to return unless their demands are met.
"This action isn’t something we embarked on lightly.” The cast explains. “this is both our livelihood and our passion. Working on Generations is something we take extremely seriously – we only wish the broadcaster and the production house took us as seriously. We have continuously worked in good faith with them, choosing to believe that they would honour their commitments – it’s unfortunate that they have failed to do that. We deeply regret the inconvenience to our fans and loyal viewers, but feel strongly about taking a principled stand about fundamental labour issues that our employers seem not to be taking seriously – instead, they threaten us with dismissal. It is our fervent hope that these issues are resolved sooner rather than later. We are eager to get back to work."
Cast members that are striking include:
1. Anga Makubalo (MJ Dlomo)
2. Atandwa Kani (Samora Lembede)
3. Katlego Danke (Dineo Dlomo)
4. Mandla Gaduka (Selwyn ‘Choppa’ Maithufi)
5. Menzi Ngubane (Sbusiso Dlomo)
6. Nambitha Mpumlwana (Mawande)
7. Patrick Shai (Patrick Tlaole)
8. Slindile Nodangala (Ruby Dikobe)
9. Sophie Ndaba (Queen Ndaba)
10. Seputla Sebogodi (Kenneth Mashaba)
11. Thami Mngqolo (Senzo)
12. Thato Molamu (Nicholas Nomvete)
13. Winnie Ntshaba (Khetiwe Buthelezi)
14. Zenande Mfenyana (Noluntu Memela)
15. Zikhona Sodlaka (Priska Nomvete)
16. Zolisa Xaluva (Jason Malinga)
