All over the world, actors and artists are well known for living luxuriously and fancy lifestyles. It is a perception developed by seeing Nollywood actors and mostly Hollywood actors. To our surprise, it is not the case with actors of Mzansi Magic telenovela DiepCity. Is it even possible for actors to live in poverty? We ask ourselves.
DiepCity is a popular show with top celebrity names in it, including Dawn Thandeka King (Thandiwe), Nozuko Ncayiyane (Nox), Mduduzi Mabaso (Mgedeza), Tshiamo Molobi (Sibusiso), Hamilton Dlamini (Bonga), to name a few.
Close sources from within say that some of the actors are failing to show up in time because they do not have transport money. It also reported that some are even struggling to afford basic needs such as electricity, food etc.
We are all shocked. How come we get to know this critical information now? An inside source (actor) responded and quoted, “It is just sad because last time a cast member raised concerns, they had a heated blow-out with Mandla, and they got fired.”
With deep sympathy, she continued, “Sibanyoni is new in the industry, but he is very talented. He won an SA Film and Television award, proving how good he is. You will be shocked that he is one cast member who gets paid R350 a day. He tried to raise this, but it almost turned physical when he approached Mandla.”
When pressed, Black Brain Picture production house’s Mandla Ngcongwane denied the allegations as ill interpreted, claiming that the production house paid the main actors only R350 a day. No actor can earn R350 to R400 a day. Those are probably the extras.
He continued in clarification, saying that there are several grades and levels among actors from entry-level to senior actors: “Remember that agencies rob people as well. We work with agencies; we don’t work directly with [these] people because it is not professional. So, there would be discrepancies with other people. Money is always like that.”
Later on, he confirmed that Sibanyoni had taken some time off but denied allegations that there was a feud that made him leave for some fresh air and a less toxic environment.
He continued saying Sibanyoni is part of the show, but he is off a bit because his character does not have a storyline right now. The danger was never written in the front. He was an extra, and he will be written into the show next season. He was growing his character, so that was his situation. He was never part of the show. He was never part of the cast.
“Danger is talented and has a promising future ahead of him if he keeps his head straight, which is the hardest thing to do for talent, he concluded on the issue.
He went on to clarify the differences, which seemed a bit technical to the fans, “Extras and actors are different. Sometimes you will get a big role, but you will never get what the main actors are being paid, 70% of our cast are all newcomers, and you [have to] understand that, because they are newcomers who then blow up, you can’t expect them to earn the same as Dawn Thandeka King. It would be an insult,”
Another source from inside shared her position, saying, “Our agents negotiated [good remuneration deals] for some of us. Even though I am not entirely happy [with my pay], I am better off [than others], and I am due for another [round of] negotiations for better pay, with my agent,” she said.
“It would help a lot of people on the show to have this [low pay issue] out there so that the production house can at least change things because a lot of us love the show. We don’t want to have to leave because of money,”
Meetings will take place between Ngcongwane and agencies to solve the issue immediately.