I hear Connie Ferguson who is departing Generations, isn't leaving on a happy note from South Africa's biggest soapie. This after her sudden resignation at the end of last month from South Africa's biggest TV show overall viewership wise - and I can tell you why.
I told you right here on April 30 about Connie Ferguson dumping the show which came as an immense shock for the South African TV industry, fellow cast members and fans. I know that she resigned just two days before this, on Wednesday 28 April. This immediately sent the production into a flatspin. Executive producer Mfundi Vundla was furious - also because he wasn't there when it all happened, I'm told.
Sources are telling me about tension between Mfundi Vundla and Connie Ferguson - not much, but some to be significant - and to be honest, not just with Connie Ferguson but also some other members of the cast, who over the years have used Generations to build their fame and their own names and now, according to an on-set source ''think they're too big for Generations''.
I hear there's been some unhappiness from various quarters about some of the Generations on-air talent doing private work, like MC'ing and appearances which Generations often-willingly worked around, although it did become a nuisance to the production. The stars would also use their Generations characters names to make money not related to (or going to) the show which built them into household names and also caused some simmering tension.
Whatever the case and the feelings behind the scenes, publicly Mfundi Vundla has given Connie Ferguson (who has been with Generations for 16 years) good words. ''Connie is a leading lady in the true sense of the word,'' said Mfundi Vundla. ''We will remember her for her professionalism, dedication and loyalty – she is an icon that will be sorely missed by her loyal followers as well as the Generations family.''
