Heavyweight actor Sello Maake ka Ncube expresses disappointment over being snubbed due to professional jealousy
Veteran actor Sello Maake ka Ncube has taken to Instagram to express his disappointment over not being credited for his talent and contribution to the industry. In a 2022 article, Sello shared a screenshot of an old City Press profile in which he slammed Joburg Theatre for not including him on its walk of fame at its Diamond Jubilee Evening of Celebration.
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The event honoured the likes of Mbongeni Ngema, Connie Chiume, Johnny Clegg and John Kani. By posting this screenshot, Sello has brought attention to the issue and sparked a conversation about professional jealousy in the industry.
“Blessed Sunday, I thought I should address this once and for all,” his post began.
“There is nothing new here! Professional jealousy exists and it’s a disease that will eat them silently. They can’t take away my talent nor my contribution to the arts! When you know you are great, you have no reason to hate!”
Pre-empting those who may accuse him of having a heavy dose of entitlement, the veteran actor said that wasn’t the case and he was speaking out because he felt like the snub was part of a “deliberate career assassination”.
“Many may think I have a sense of entitlement but this is a deliberate career assassination by people in the industry who are not even my peers! There are people who think they are demigods and can decide who is worthy of being recognised, I have given over four decades of my life to this industry and still counting.”
Sello Maake ka Ncube’s industry peers have praised him in the comments section of his Instagram post. Sbongile Mlotshwa, a makeup artist in the TV and film industry, encouraged Sello to focus on his talent and know that recognition would come in due time. Pearl, Sello’s publicist-turned-wife, also joined in and expressed her admiration for him. By sharing these comments, Sello has sparked a conversation about the importance of recognizing talent in the industry.
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