In Pictures: List of actors fired from The Queen.
In recent years Ferguson Films has proved that it is not shy about firing and hiring the cast. However, in recent years, the media house has trended for the wrong reasons, thus firing actors.
The Fergusons have defended themselves, saying that it is the nature of the industry that characters come and go. Below are some of the actors who the Fergusons fired from The Queen.
Ntando Duma
Social media was set ablaze with some showbiz news after various sources confirmed the axing of Ntando Duma from the Queen. Rumour has it that the star actress received the boot after she had secured a new gig.
Well, that’s not the first time the Fergusons have fired a star actor after securing a gig.
Cindy Mahlangu
After securing a gig on ETV’s drama series Scandal, Cindy Mahlangu was once shown the exit door and recalled after a fall in numbers by the showrunners.
Loyiso MacDonald
Loyiso MacDonald, who played the role of Kagiso Khoza, was recently axed from The Queen. His exit barely comes a few months after the show lost several seasoned casts of late. He is the second actor to leave The Queen in the space of a few weeks. Not so long ago saw Mzansi’s witnessed the heartbreaking exit of Thato, played by Xolani Mayekiso.
However, rumour has it that the star actor had a fallout with the showrunners. Well, that’s not the case with seasoned entertainment commentators.
According to entertainment news commentator Phil Mphela, Loyiso resigned on his own accord. The actor is reported to have been done with the role and is ready to move on.
In Pictures: List of actors fired from The Queen
Vatiswa Ndara
One can be off the hook even for good intentions. Back in 2019, multi-award-winning actress Vatiswa Ndara wrote an open letter to Minister Nathi Mthethwa.
She spoke about abuse, exploitation, and bullying that she and other actors on the Mzansi Magic film Igazi had to endure at the hands of the Ferguson Films production. Since then, she hasn’t secured a gig on screen, and no doubt she seems to have been blackmailed.
Dineo Langa
Despite being on the show since 2016, actress and television presenter, Dineo Langa was fired from The Queen after she asked for some time off to shoot another movie. However, despite being given the day-off, she later received an email from the Fergusons telling her to not return to work. She played the role of Kea Khoza.
Sello Maake ka Ncube
Veteran actor Sello Maake ka Ncube who used to play the role of Kgosi, also left The Queen under a cloud. However, ka Ncube did not give any details as to what had transpired to make him exit the show and instead said that the Fergusons were the only ones who could reveal the fuzzy details behind his exit from the show.
Rami Chuene
In a dramatic rollercoaster, Rami Chuene was shown the exit door from The Queen after weighing in support of Vatiswa. Rami Chuene was one of the most-loved cast members on The Queen. Unfortunately, Gracious Mabuza left after an alleged behind-the-scenes drama with the Ferguson family. Lucky for her, she was absorbed back into the industry after the drama.
Marah Louw
However, Marah Louw is among those who applauded Vatiswa Ndara for penning an open letter highlighting the alleged mistreatment of actors at Ferguson Films. The veteran actress also said she had to endure some consequences after speaking out against the company. Just like Vatiswa, the veteran actress has not worked anywhere since.
Mlamli Mangacala
Actor Mlamli Mangcala who played the role of Captain Sthembiso Radebe on The Queen, also left the show after allegations of lies and deception. Mangcala claimed to have been exploited by the Fergusons, whom he alleged made him pay for appearing on television.
Mangcala had to cover his travel and accommodation costs when travelling from Cape Town to Johannesburg to shoot. The actor also said that he never got the promised salary but only got an increment of R100 when he negotiated his contract.