What Happened to ‘Uzalo’? The Soapie’s Production Is Put on Hold Due to Unpaid Salaries

• Many netizens on social media have been questioning why Uzalo's production was put on hold
• The production teams stopped working after not being paid for more than two months
• One of the leading actors of the show expressed their disappointment about not receiving their salaries, but had to continue working

Bathong, what's going on with these production companies? Many viewers of Mzansi's most-watched soapie on SABC1, Uzalo, were left with many questions after the production of the team was put on hold.

Recently, according to Sunday World Newspaper, the production team and cast members refused to continue working after not being paid their salaries for more than two months, leading to the show being put on hold.

Despite having maintained their viewership and number one spot since its premiere in 2015, it seems though as Stained Glass Production has been having financial difficulties, which led to them not paying their employees who refused to work until a solution regarding their salaries is reached.

Read also

Warras wants to help Open Chats Podcast hosts after offensive comments: "I don't hate them"

Actors disappointed by the salary delay

Speaking to the publication, one of the lead actors expressed their disappointment at not being paid what's due to them for over two months. The actor also mentioned how they have tried being professional and patient, but it is difficult for them as they have bills to pay.

"It’s very discouraging. How do we pay our bills? We did not plan for this. It has been more than two months, and we have remained patient and professional. This is all we have, so we have to wait. Working at a company for so long, you tend to get comfortable. We never expected not to get a salary," the actor said.

Stained Glass also confirmed that they are indeed behind with salary payments and that it is all because of severe cash flow constraints.

"Please note that we are actively engaging with the SABC to resolve the matter as swiftly as possible," they said.

Read also

‘Open Chats’ podcast loses deal with DStv after their comments about Coloured community

Netizens reacted to Uzalo production being put on hold

Many netizens voiced out their opinions on social media regarding the soapie's financial difficulties and its being put on hold. Here's what they had to say:

@crazythatoo said:

"SABC, though- They are busy demanding (read threatening) TV licence payments from us, but they can’t even pay these production companies for us to enjoy TV. First was Generations: The Legacy, then Skeem Saam, and now Uzalo."

@NomthyNelu wrote:

"They should just cancel the show, once."

@Blessing_Pha commented:

"Anyway, they must just cancel it."

@MsCougar21 responded:

"This is actually sad. The state of SABC is sad."

Former Uzalo star Siyabonga Radebe reportedly admitted to a mental hospital

Meanwhile, Briefly News reported that the former Uzalo star, Siyabonga Radebe, was reportedly admitted to a mental hospital. According to the 2022 report, the actor, who played the character of Vikizitha Magwaza, reportedly battled a mental illness, and sources claim he was seen walking around in his birthday suit in the institution.

Read also

Open Chats Podcast issues apology after massive backlash over offensive remarks about Coloured people

The report stated that Siyabonga had not been well since he moved back to his family home in Ntuzuma, south of Durban and was also seen a couple of times talking to himself while wandering around the township.

Source: Briefly News