Joe Mafela was not invited to Saftas, Lillian Dube reveals

Veteran actor and producer Lillian Dube has revealed that she, along with late legend Joe Mafela, were not invited to the SA Film and Television Awards (Saftas) that were held at Sun City on Saturday night.

Had Mafela been there instead of driving in Johannesburg, he may not have passed away in a car accident at the age of 75.

In an interview with eNCA, Dube spoke about their journey as actors and the important role they played in developing the craft in the country. Dube said she was disappointed at the treatment they had been receiving, and how actors were being “marginalised” today.

“What I know is strange enough. On Saturday we were speaking about politics and how we are being marginalised as actors even though actors were very active, they brought about the change we have today but we are not given the same respect.

“For instance, we were even speaking about the Saftas to which he wasn’t invited, I wasn’t invited and we said you know, Joe? We do what we do because we love it. Whether we get invited to the Saftas or not. I mean, I’m a producer and I don’t get invited,” she said.

Dube said she had been with Mafela on Saturday at Gold Reef City and he was telling her how happy he was to be taking his wife on a cruise.

It was a shock for her when she received an SMS this morning telling her about his passing.

“No, it can’t be him because he’s on a cruise, he’s on a cruise, it can’t be him,” she responded.

“A friend of mine then sent me a message to say that Joe was involved in an accident. Then I started believing it. It has saddened me so much. He was the happiest on Saturday when we were talking. So for me I cannot believe it, but what I want everyone to know is that he was very happy when I last saw him.”

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