Actor and singer Phila Madlingozi, who portrays Ntando in the first isiXhosa telenovela Gqeberha The Empire, has been let go from the show after “public criticism about his acting skills and alleged diva behaviour,” according to an insider. He played the son of Zimkhitha, who is played by Zandile Msutwana. He got the role while grieving for his late mom and it helped him to heal. A reliable source on the show tells ZiMoja that his contract has been cancelled and Oros Mampofu will take over his role. “After he was sacked. The company searched for other candidates that would fit his role and Oros was the best among them.”
The source says Phila was sacked for being late for work. “He was always tardy for production,” the insider says. “He would show up drunk for work and sometimes hungover. He thought he had made it and this was very unprofessional. He is also a diva on set and makes unreasonable requests,” the source says. Phila tells ZiMoja that he has moved on to other projects. “I don’t want to deal with drama,” he says. “I have moved on to other things. I’m filming another show for Showmax. I can’t say what happened as I don’t want to deal with this. Things were meant to happen the way they did. I am done filming the show and I am working on other projects.”
After a back and forth with the channel and the production company, Tshedza Pictures, have decided to bring back the show, which will come back for season two. “Oros will be joining from season two. They started filming mid-November,” the source says. “The show will continue being filmed in Gqeberha.” Another actor on the show who does not want to be named hopes that, “the problems faced in season one will get better.” Some actors previously complained about the production, mentioning issues of accommodation, salaries, talent and the storyline were a problem. “But things have gotten better. We hope for the best for the new season.