UPDATE: Nando’s join in on Generations drama

UPDATE: 3:30pm – Family restaurant Nando’s have never been shy when creating tongue-in-cheek online posters that feed off national headlines.

On 19 August the chicken fast-food chain came up with another one poking fun at Mfundi Mvundla, executive producer of Generations.

The ad reads: ”Dear Mfundi leave the firing with us we’ve been flame grilling for generations”.

This after a bunch of Generations actors were fired. Neither the production company for Generations, nor the SABC had anything to say about the poster for the restaurant.

What do you think of this ad?

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UPDATE: 19 August 2014, 2:30pm –  The news that numerous stalwarts of South Africa’s most watched soapie, Generations, have been fired sent shock waves through South Africa.

The cast members were fired by the SABC and MMSV Productions. The cast have been vocal since October last year about working conditions, wages, and not receiving royalties on re-broadcasts and syndication of the show.

After officially announcing they were on strike on 18 August, they were dismissed shortly thereafter. Two other prime time soap production companies said they could potentially employ some of the dismissed actors and even may gain some new viewers, although the SABC plans to continue to air the production.

The cast’s dismissal even got the attention of sport minister Mbalula Fikile, who asked if there where negotiations before dismissal, and any mediation on the matter.
Viewers also had their say. On twitter Pfunzo Mike Mabasa (@pfunzoo) said, “Its about time @etvScandal change time slot to 8pm. And then we’ll see if Generations viewers will still stay loyal to the soapie.”

But it’s not all doom and gloom. One of the fired cast members, Thato Molamu already has another job lined up. He’ll be presenting soon-to-air game show What’s Behind the Wall on SABC 2.

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Following the cast of Generations going on a strike, and walking off the set the SABC have taken the decision to fire the actors.

According to Sunday World, the following actors have been fired from Generations:

According to reports, the actors have been given their letters of dismal and are examining legal options according to the Generations Actors Guild.

The local show has a viewership of about 7.5 million people.

Sunday World further reported, that the SABC and MMSV Productions said measures have been put in place to ensure the future of the show and that this would be made public soon.

The strike is beleived  to be related to wage disputes. Since going on strike, the cast have written an open to their fans and audience.

The letter states:

Dear Fans and Generations Viewers:

By now, you would have heard that we, the principal cast of Generations, have made a decision to embark on a strike, and walk off the set of Generations.

First of all, we want to apologise for the inconvenience that this may cause you, as our loyal viewers and fans. Please believe that it is not a decision we came to lightly. However, in light of the SABC and the MMSV Productions continued refusal to engage with us, and our grievances, we felt that reviving the strike was the only course of action available to us.

We wanted to take this opportunity to explain to you exactly what led to this drastic action, and give a full context of the events to date. It is also important for us to state that before we went on strike, we made a point of communicating our unhappiness to MMSV Productions, to no avail.

We live in a country that is notorious for artists living and dying in a state of poverty, tragically, never managing to earn what is their due, despite being associated with a number of successful projects. We have made a decision, as dedicated professionals working on South Africa’s most successful TV show, that we will not be part of this painful statistic. There is no reason, whatsoever, that we should live as ‘struggling actors’ when our show generates an incredible income for the production house and broadcaster.

We have tried repeatedly, to accommodate the SABC and MMSV Productions – whenever they requested an extension to examine the issues, we agreed. When, in November 2013 they asked us to end our original strike while they reviewed our demands, we agreed. They committed to reverting to us with their responses to our demands – instead, they have issued us with threats to dismiss us if we don’t return to work. We regard this as a breach of trust, and working in completely bad faith with us. We also consider their insistence on not paying us our fair due as a disturbing flouting of fundamental labour practices, and a perversion of the South Africa we are trying to build – a South Africa where labour is compensated fairly and appropriately. The cast remains open to negotiating and working out a solution, and hopes that the broadcaster and production house respond to this sentiment.

We thank you for your patience with us, and hope you understand our difficulty and stand with us in this troubling time.

With love, and respect:

The Generations Actors Guild: Anga Makubalo (MJ Dlomo), Atandwa Kani (Samora Lembede), Katlego Danke (Dineo Dlomo), Mandla Gaduka (Selwyn ‘Choppa’ Maithufi), Menzi Ngubane (Sbusiso Dlomo), Nambitha Mpumlwana (Mawande , Patrick Shai (Patrick Tlaole), Slindile Nodangala (Ruby Dikobe), Sophie Ndaba (Queen Ndaba), Seputla Sebogodi (Kenneth Mashaba), Thami Mngqolo (Senzo ) , Thato Molamu (Nicholas Nomvete ) , Winnie Ntshaba (Khetiwe Buthelezi), Zenande Mfenyana (Noluntu Memela), Zikhona Sodlaka (Priska Nomvete) , Zolisa Xaluva (Jason Malinga )