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Take sex off centre stage
SA actors come out in support of ‘Lithapo’ actresses after sexual misconduct allegations
Both actresses shared their accounts of lewd comments, inappropriate physical contact and offers for quid-pro-quo sexual exchanges from an unnamed lead actor on the show.
Lithapo actresses Lorraine Moropa and Alotvise Lawrence | Images: Instagram
Actors such as Masasa Mbangeni, Dineo Langa, Warren Masemola and Thuso Mbedu have all come out in support of actresses Lorraine Moropa and Altovise Lawrence after the pair detailed their experiences of sexual harassment on the set of the SABC 2 drama, Lithapo.
Moropa led the charge when she took to Instagram on Monday evening to declare “enough is enough”.
“Being constantly sexually harassed by a male senior at a workplace can not and should not be tolerated. Your senior, someone who’s meant to guide and protect you in the entertainment industry, violates your human rights, that’s not even half the pain,” wrote Moropa.
“Imagine working with someone who undresses you from how he looks at you. Someone that grabs their genitals on a set while looking at your ass or grabs your ass and laughs it off in front of a crew (yes my cases have always been in the presence of my colleagues). That to me is worse than a slap in the face,” she added.
Without naming names, Moropa went on to comment about how her harasser had a daughter who was practically her age and worked in the entertainment industry as well.
“I wonder if he would appreciate his daughter coming home with half the stories I have to go home and tell my mother due to his actions,” she said.
Moropa further went on to question who championed the cause of women in the entertainment industry and protects the images of those who lay complaints.
“What happens to our dignity as people in the industry allow such behaviour? I, for one, am SICK AND TIRED. IT ENDS HERE AND NOW FOR ME! I did not sleep my way into any role and I refuse for my process to get into this industry and cement my name just for it to be tainted by someone who has zero self-control or respect for us as professionals in the industry. ENOUGH IS ENOUGH!” she concluded.
It’s so boring & frustrating that this beautiful talent has to be dealing with this ! We are dealing with a pandemic & still having to deal with this ! Yhu hayi @PhilMphela please help. @Lorraine_Moropa I’m so so sorry pic.twitter.com/z1mqXfw8As
— Bhut’ Masasa (@MsMasasa) July 20, 2020
I’m so glad to hear that. I hope others will come forward about this particular predator. This woman can’t be the only victim. https://t.co/imU3WOckhE
— Zakes Mda (@ZakesMda) July 20, 2020
He must be let go manje. No two ways about it.
Sexual harassment shouldn’t be tolerated in any way, shape or form. How must the actress feel knowing that she’s not safe with this person? Yhu hayi— тнU§σ Mвє∂u (@ThusoMbedu) July 21, 2020
Moropa’s statement was supported by fellow Lithapo actress and YFM DJ Altovise Lawrence, who said that she had similar encounters with the unnamed actor, who allegedly offered to furnish her apartment in exchange for sex.
“I stand in solidarity with @lorrainemoropa who has had the courage to come out and say that she has been sexually harassed by an actor on set. The same man that sexually harassed her, has sexually harassed me too on the very same set,” said Lawrence.
“I’m sorry I didn’t speak out when it happened @lorrainemoropa. But, I’m saying something now. What happened was disgusting and it can’t continue. I believe you. I support you. I’ve got you, sis,” she added.
After an initially tone-deaf input into the conversation, actor Warren Masemola vowed: “We will try help our sisters.”
Why are there no names mentioned or cases opened with SAPS?
We’ve seen people here say a musicians name followed by #MustFall
Want to do something about it? Then do something about it.
— Warren Masemola (@warrenmasemola) July 21, 2020
In the meantime, we will try help our sisters.
Lokhu okunye ????????♂️
— Warren Masemola (@warrenmasemola) July 21, 2020
You have a voice. You can choose to support junior actors who are being sexually harassed by your fellow actors. You can choose to start there.
— ????Nokuthula Miya-Mshengu (@NoxNonozi) July 21, 2020
Former star of Mzansi Magic’s The Queen, Dineo Langa also tweeted her support for Lawrence and Moropa.
We stand with both Lorraine and Altovise. We believe them. Enough is enough!!!! https://t.co/AllCh2xOWJ
— Dineo Langa (@therealdineo) July 21, 2020
Lithapo (aka Ties That Bind) is a Sesotho drama that debuted on SABC 2 earlier this year and stars the likes of Joyce Skefu, Seputla Sebogodi, Mangaliso Ngema, Israel Zulu and Sthandiwe Kgoroge, among others.
The drama is produced by Quizzical Pictures who were contacted by the Citizen for comment. The production house acknowledged that they were aware of the allegations and added that they were “dealing with this issue with the people concerned”.
A statement by production house Quizzical Pictures on allegations of sexual misconduct made by actresses on SABC 2 drama Lithapo | Image: Supplied
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