Did Katherine Kelly Lang buy flowers for herself to be handed to her at her airport arrival? The SABC is denying that it's paying for "Brooke Logan's" flowers or anything else around The Bold and the Beautiful actress' South African visit, saying the public broadcaster "did not incur any costs".
It comes amidst the basically bankrupt South African public broadcaster still owing a litany of local production companies millions of rands owed for content, with shows like Uzalo on SABC1 that has completely shut down production with cast and crew that downed tools due to non-payment by the SABC.
The SABC, a R7 billion corporation, has only R26 million left in the back and owes 27 times more - R694 million - to producers and other service providers who haven't been paid as the broadcaster awaits a another possible government bailout.
SABC viewers, the public, actors and producers are now wondering where the SABC gets the money from to participate in the nationwide marketing blitz of the iconic The Bold and the Beautiful actress visiting South Africa this week and next week with the American weekday soap that is broadcast on SABC3.
While SABC TV head publicist Zandile Nkonyeni welcomed Katherine Kelly Lang at the airport with flowers and joined her for spa treatments, Katherine's team or someone else is apparently paying for the flowers and everything else, not the SABC, according to the broadcaster.
Katherine is making several public appearances together with the SABC and banner-headlined by SABC3 in cities around South Africa.
After a game reserve safari and spa treatments this week, Katherine Kelly Lang will appear on SABC3's Real Talk with Azania on Tuesday, film scenes for SABC3's local soap, Isidingo, and do a profile interview insert on Top Billing following a flurry of brunches, radio interviews and viewer meet-and-greets.
Vuyo Ngcukana, an actor in The Queen on Mzansi Magic (DStv 161) crystalised the thoughts of many onlookers this week, wondering "who is picking up Brooke Logan's bill for being here, I see she's getting royal treatment with spas and flowers but Uzalo actors are fighting for money they've worked for that hasn't been paid, so who brought and paid for Brooke?"
The SABC says it's not paying a cent for Katherine Kelly Lang's visit.
Quick question, who is picking up Brooke Logan’s bill for being here, I see she’s getting the royal treatment with spas and flowers but Uzalo actors are fighting for money they’ve worked for that hasn’t been paid, so who brought and paid for Brooke?— Vuyolwethu Ngcukana (@vuyomse) August 28, 2018
Neo Momodu, SABC spokesperson tells TVwithThinus in response to a media enquiry that "the SABC did not pay for, nor sponsor Katherine Kelly Lang’s visit to South Africa."
"The Bold and Beautiful and Katherine paid for the visit as part of long standing plans for Katherine to compete in the 2018 Ironman World Championship taking place in Port Elizabeth on Saturday, 1 September. SABC3 piggy-backed on this visit and therefore did not incur any costs."
