South Africa's most-watched show, Uzalo, is allegedly also affected by the beleaguered SABC's cash-crunch and inability to pay TV producers, with whispers in the TV biz circulating that the production might possibly have to start letting some staffers go within weeks if it doesn't get paid.
Last week journalists heard from a longtime producer not working on the show but with connections and in touch with staffers there, who claimed that Uzalo is also struggling due to the South African public broadcaster's failure to pay local production companies and service providers what they're owed.
The person told journalists that if Uzalo apparently doesn't get money from the SABC within two weeks from now, that it will have to look at letting people go. "It's so sad because they're such sweet people and don't want to lose their contract and they're still a relatively new production company, trying to hard to create good work for the SABC."
The SABC owes South African producers millions of rand putting South Africa's TV and film production industry once again at risk with shows struggling to pay their casts and crews.
Uzalo remains the biggest show on South Africa television. The KwaMashu-set weekday drama series produced by Stained Glass TV, is the most-watched show in the country and on SABC1, luring 9.16 million viewers (26.2 AR) during July for its most watched episode.
Stained Glass TV is the company that the SABC reached out to during its emergency at the end of June to possibly take over production of the broadcaster's other KwaZulu-Natal produced drama series, Uselwa, after that show imploded and abruptly shut down when producers failed to pay the cast and crew.
There's been no public announcement from the SABC yet regarding the shuttered Uselwa and whether Stained Glass TV did indeed take over managing that show.
TVwithThinus asked the SABC in a media enquiry last week about Uzalo to get clarity on whether it's correct that the show has not been paid by the broadcaster. The SABC was asked for comment about this, and when the show will be paid if it hasn't been paid. The SABC didn't respond.
Dreamcatcher Multimedia that reps Uzalo and communicates on behalf of the drama series was also asked last week in media enquiries to get specifically the production company's response about the claim that Uzalo hasn't been paid and that it might soon lead to job losses. Uzalo's PR manager, Marang Setshwaelo didn't respond with any comment.
UPDATE Monday 13 August 2018, 15:00: In a statement from from Uzalo through Dreamcatcher, the production says "as per our client/supplier policy, it is Stained Glass policy not to disclose details of commercial arrangements with clients. As such, we would direct you to the SABC official spokespeople should you require further detail on the current position".
UPDATE Monday 13 August 2018, 15:30: In a statement Kaizer Kganyago, SABC spokesperson, says "the SABC is directly engaging with its partners and service providers, therefore we will not be drawn into discussing this matter in the public space".
