South African soapies are always filled with drama, on and off the screen.
Azwidohwi Malaka who played the role of Pfuluwani , second wife to Chief Azwindini on Muvhango was reportedly fired due to poor performance and coming late to work!
Sunday world reported that the actress confirmed that she left Muvhango after her contract was not renewed.
“That contract ended and it was not renewed. I don’t know if you can call it a dismissal. I just didn’t have a role in the current storyline,” she said.
Muvhango publicist Amanda Ngudle also refuted claims that Malaka was fired by saying “She was not fired, the storyline didn’t have a story for her for the current season. She left at the beginning of the current season in August 2015.”
Another cast member confirmed that Malaka was pushed out after some disagreements with the soapie producers on her contract.
“They called her to a meeting at the same time as Simphiwe Ngema and told her that they won’t be renewing her contract and also that if she still wanted to be part of the soapie she would have to settle for the job of a call actor. This is like being a newcomer. She rejected that,” said the production member.
The actor also revealed that producers made indications that the soapie will in future cut on actors if it were to survive the new instructions by SABC COO Hlaudi Motsoeneng that all main actors should be given three-year contracts.
“Some of our colleagues have approached Hlaudi to get clarity on the matter and the looming job cuts at Muvhango. I won’t lie, we are all fearing for our jobs because if they can fire two long-serving staff members just like that, it also means they can do the same with us because we only have short-term contracts with them,” added the production staffer.
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