Family Secrets Stars Not Compensated

The cast of SABC 1’s new drama series Family Secrets are fuming after not being compensated for their work. To make matters worse, they were unaware that it was going to air of Sunday, 6 September as they were not told by the production team.

The star-studded cast of the new soapie includes former Generations cast members including Sonia Mbele, Menzi Ngubane, Sophie Ndaba and Katlego Danke. They were also joined by veteran actress Michelle Botes, Mangaliso Ngema & Thembi Seete.

These veteran actors and actresses were unaware of the initial date the soapie would air as it was shot a long time ago and were not paid.

Daily Sun reports that an undisclosed source informed them that the cast was not promoting the soapie on their respective social media platforms as they were not paid for it and were completely sidelined.

One of the cast members, Menzi Ngbane told the publication that he was not aware that Family Secrets would play on SABC 1 on Sunday night. He said as far as he knows, production or shooting was halted due to “unforeseen circumstances.”

Katlego Danke was also one of them who was not quiet left in the dark, said she only received a message from the production team that it would be airing in due time.

To make matters interesting, a legal battle is underway. This according to Sonia Mbele who could not comment as she made the publication aware of a legal matter that is going on.
When contacting the spokesperson of the broadcaster, Mmoni Seapolelo, they wipe themselves clean of any wrongdoing on their part, saying it is not SABC’s responsibility to pay actors. She also added that Family Secrets is a licensed property therefore this matter is handled by the production house responsible.

The show got some mixed reviews form viewers with some of them complaining about the quality, others criticizing the story line saying the actors are not suited for it. Many agreed that having too many famous actors playing as lead, takes away from the series and makes it not-exciting.

However for many, on Twitter many are distracted by the fact that lead actor Mangaliso Ngema bagged a role even with sexual assault allegations hanging over his head.

The new telenovela has another lead actor however viewers are not to happy about his casting. Playing Caesar Mokwena – the continent’s richest banker- disgraced actor Mangaliso Ngema has many questioning why is he still getting gigs but he has sexual abuse allegations hovering over him.

Many believe that he doesn’t deserve to be on television until he is proven innocent or cleared. Mangaliso was fired from e.tv’s Lithapo following an outcry from beloved actress and television personality Lorraine Moropa, who opened up being sexually harassed by a senior actor on the set of Lithapo, who happened to be Mangaliso.