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BREAKING NEWS: Mass firings at Generations

Written by TVSA Team from the blog SABC on 18 Aug 2014
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BREAKING NEWS

This news just in moments ago ... from the SABC about the Generations strike. It was sent on behalf of the SABC and the show's production company MMSV Productions:

Press Release

MMSV Productions, following consultation with the South African Broadcasting Corporation (SABC), have today terminated the contracts of the striking actors on the SABC1 soap drama, Generations. The termination follows calls by both parties for the actors to return for recordings, following the start of their illegal strike.

The SABC and MMSV Productions would like to assure the public that measures have been put in place to ensure the future of Generations.

All future plans will be communicated by the SABC in due course.

Shows in this post: Generations

Channels in this post: SABC1

Tags: Press Release

19 Comments

makisto
18 Aug 2014 16:52

Generations is not going to win this at the labour court or the CCMA. The actors may walk away with salaries equivalent to at least one year

Tashi
18 Aug 2014 16:55

H.E.C.T.I.C.

makisto
18 Aug 2014 17:05

Very hectic Tashi. This firing is very unprocedural. The show will

Tashi
18 Aug 2014 17:12

I know Maki .. I've been sitting here wondering what possible plan they could have to deal with the loss of the cast and can't think of any scenario other than them re-writing the show and totally alienating audiences.

Ingenuity
18 Aug 2014 18:45

This is so unprecedented. I think this is just a scare tactic. I mean they have fired almost if not all of their leading actors/actresses. Practically speaking this is a bad move but legally prticipation in an unprotected strike may constitute a fair reason for dismissal.Obviously all the factors must be taken into consideration.

charmed_dude
18 Aug 2014 20:20

Oh well this just shows how dumb the SABC is. They have no just fired a couple of cast, but almost the entire cast of thier No. 1 show. No doubt with Media exposure, and fandom this will affect the ratings - greatly. Also with immediate dismissal - how on earth are they going to write themselves out of it.

A ebola outbrreak between episodes?!!

Not only did they also fire the entire cast, they fired thier only orignal Generations actress from the beginning - Sophie Ndaba - this is not going to sit well with fans or viewership.

Unless this is a scare tactic, the SABC and Mvundi is going to find themselves in very difficult times.

I however am very much interested to see how they work themselves out of this.

The saddest thing is whilst not the best actors and actresses; GENERATIONS is the highest rated show in South Africa, local and international. This will undoubtly cripple local talent especially since I believe the cause that the actors of the show were fighting for were well within thier means and they deserved it. A huge backlash and loss for the SABC and the local industry.

Should Isidingo actors even consider this I imagine the SABC to entirely cancel the entire soap. It is unfortunately a very stern and severe warning against the industry.

ONLY eTV and MultiChoice can save this by going against the terrible principle of the SABC and echoing a more postive message for local industry actors and possibly scooping them up entirely.

Infact, I expect M-Net to scoop them up for another competitve soap on Mzanzi Magic to cripple SABC's declincing viewership - if you're listing Mulichoice -- you are welcome!

Thank God Connie left this train wreck four years ago and moved to greater and greener pastures --- I wish all the remaining cast members who had the axe fall today only the best in the future, there is most definetly life after Generations. Stand up for your beliefs and march on.

charmed_dude
18 Aug 2014 21:28

For more of my views on this debacle, click here: Generations: Where to from Now?!

Onkez
19 Aug 2014 00:18

Have they been really fired or just Bonang fired?

shortylicous
19 Aug 2014 07:07

Exactly the SABC with it's childish, uneducated COO are playing with ppl's minds. But they will be re-instated it's jst a scare tactic to get the talented actors back in the studios. I only watch generations bcos of the of it's good looking, talented cast otherwise the storyline is *yawning right nw* but seriously thy hav shown thy do not appreciate the talent really sure hope thy wil be snatched up by a channel and a production co. Who knows and what they want who are is not all 4 explotation. @ least kenny can still go back 2 Zabalaza his caracter is stil very much alive sure thy wil welcum him wit arms wide open. But in all seriously I hope the stubborn parties are not naïve in thinking generations wil continue as normal,* Mfundi if u reading this do u remember wht happened 2 backstage wen all the leading cast members left* jst reminding ya incase u don't recall. No1 wil watch generation eva again we are all working *hard working* south africans who fight 4 our rights everyday in the labour market do u think wil support what u did 2 those talented ppl jst bcos thy stood up against oppression, might aswel can the whole thing n accept yo"ll hav lost the cash cow the 20:00 wil never be the same no more high ratings forget it!!!!!!!!!!!!!

makisto
19 Aug 2014 09:45

@Onkez, I think they are only Bonang fired

Tazteeq
19 Aug 2014 10:10

What a poor decision from the SABC, it doesnt surprise me, coming from an organizatio run by man without matric!!! Those SABC bigwigs are pathetic, arrogant and greedy. Everybody knows that those actors meant well with their strike and the only reaosn the strike resumed was because SABC fooled them into going back to work with promises they never delivered on....its sad that people have to lose tyheir jobs fighting for whats right, just because somebody wants to butter their bread on both sides.

I saw some tweets from Mfundi Vundla yesterday and now i believe the rumours that the man is ruthless and arrogant! Generations makes SABC 1 so much money, i wonder where they'll get all that when the new cast is not on tv anymore after 3 months...Replacing the actors wont even save the show...

tha - bang
19 Aug 2014 10:11

Boycott generations for those who are still watching it

loki1
19 Aug 2014 12:36

there's an arrogance from the SABC and Mfundi Vundla to fire the entire principal cast of a soapie that pull 7.5 mil viewers and just think the audience will remain loyal, have they already started brainstorming how they will kill off 16 people at a time I honestly doubt they writers there can't even write a decent storyline. instead of firing the cast they should fire their incompetent writing team with their lack luster storylines.

Tashi
19 Aug 2014 13:12

This statement was released by the cast yesterday, shortly after the news broke about their firing:

Generations Principal Cast Dismissed En Masse
The principal cast of Generations, who have been withholding their services, have each received letters of dismissal, with immediate effect.

The cast have made a decision to examine their legal options, as a result of this latest development, and will update members of the media accordingly on their next course of action.

The cast comments: “We are saddened by this development, but remain steadfast in our goal to ensure fair working conditions for ourselves as creative professionals.”

The dismissed cast members are:

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 Memela)
7.     Patrick Shai (Patrick Tlaole )
8.     Slindile Nodangala (Ruby Dikobe)
9.     Sophie Ndaba (Queen Moroka)
10. Seputla Sebogodi (Kenneth Mashaba)
11. Thami Mngqolo (Senzo Dlomo)
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)

TVSA Team
19 Aug 2014 13:17

And here's another statement ... from the Media Workers Association of SA:

GENERATIONS DISMISSAL DRAMA, RETURN TO NEGOTIATIONS TABLE

The Media Workers Association of SA notes with grave concern the mass dismissal of members of the cast of long-running TV show Generations.

We urge the parties to set aside the wrong-optiion dismissals and reload negotiations in a facilitated process..

This sinister and cynical move comes after repeated failures by both the SABC and the production company MMSV to engage in bona fide negotiation processes to address recurrent contractual issues of mutual interest raised in good faith by the workers.

Generations averages about about R20m per month excluding repeats. It is arguable that possible claims of potential inaffordability of the proposal or demand for improved remuneration is sustainable. Massive bonuses were paid out in a windfall in July and some free-riders were beneficiaries.

It is also law in South Africa that the concept of equal pay for work of equal value should be observed.

What we have here is yet another regrettable display of failed bargaining processes. We had said in February 2011 that the SABC can only be turned around by those with in-depth knowledge, skill and requisite acumen.

It seems the preferred approach of the current leadership of SABC and MMSV is that getting rid of the workers amounts to a sustainable solution to the endemic problems regarding contractual relations between the SABC, production companies and workers.

It is obscene abuse of corporate power and managerial privilege. Contracts must remain negotiable within reason and in pursuit of the common good.

The Marikana experience is still fresh in our minds. MWASA itself is an experienced victim of such an abusive approach to bargaining and examples of this deleterious form of heavy-handedness abound. This as we are told is "leadership at its best!"

We have followed with keen interest the plight of creative workers over the years as they generate billions of rand for a super-exploitative industry that spits everybody out as soon as the spotlight dims. The history of our exploitative creative sector is littered with casualties and victims of the slave-and-master contract-system that creates selfish millionaires on one hand and paupers and beggars on the other without relent.

We fully support the struggle for improved working conditions, for competitive remuneration, for the consideration of fair compensation regarding royalties, rebroadcasts, sales and syndication.

The dismissals invite inhibitive potential costs of collateral damage on both sides. In particular the irrational decision represents a devastating adverse impact to the over 12-million viewers across the country and abroad.

It is our submission that the actors, the SABC and MMSV Productions should urgently consider setting aside the dismissal and work on returning to the negotiation table. A facilitated process would yield better results. Courts do not reconcile parties or rebuild trust relations but an opportunity presents itself to find an amicable resolution.

makisto
19 Aug 2014 16:04

This matter is far from over especially with actors speaking out against this extortion of possible syndication fee. Things have just gotten real

Tashi
20 Aug 2014 09:45

Here's an interview with Mfundi Vundla done by The Citizen:

Mfundi Vundla on Generations

Most notable I thought ...

Mfundi: "That's it, finished and klaar, that's it. There were other actors before, there were other actors in the future."

Ms Opinionated
20 Aug 2014 10:00

But Mfundi its the principle that counts, its hard t believe that all members of the permanet cast would strike unreasonably. Even with the new ones that come this dispute might still arise.

I guess in the meantime he will just have to work with Comso, Sello, Sompisi, Christina, Patricia and Susan

NoMdazB
20 Aug 2014 12:40