SABC Pulls The Plug On Uzalo
Durban, South Africa
South Africa’s most-watched soapie is coming to an end after a stint of nearly six years.
According to celebrity and entertainment commentator, Kgopolo ‘Phil’ Mphela, SABC’s current fiscals which are in disarray are the main cause of the ‘cancellation.’
“Cast and crew of the biggest show in South Africa have been informed that production on season 7 will not start in 2020 as scheduled. Production contracts process with SABC is cited as the cause and payments have not been made,” wrote Phil on his Twitter timeline.
TV: New season of Uzalo halted
Cast & crew of the biggest show in South Africa have been informed that production on season 7 will not start in 2020 as scheduled
Production contracts process with SABC is cited as the cause & payments have not been made #KgopoloReports pic.twitter.com/E7WHD654tJ
— Kgopolo Mphela (@PhilMphela) November 30, 2020
However, Uzalo in conjunction with SABC are yet to give an official presser pertaining to the issue.
Regardless, the issue of SABC’s current fiscals is one that has been in the public domain for quite a stint now with hundreds expected to lose their jobs due to retrenchments.
Other local soapies such as Rhythm City and Isidingo have already hit a snag and Uzalo won’t be the first although many fans will most likely be disgruntled.
Uzalo is a South African soapie opera produced by Stained Glass Productions, which is co-owned by Kobedi “Pepsi” Pokane and Gugu Zuma-Ncube. It began airing in 2015, quickly becoming a hit due to its compelling narrative, writing, direction and the performances of the relatively unknown cast.
Initially, it had the storyline of two young men who were switched at birth, one being raised in a family with core Christian values and the other at a crime syndicate. It currently broadcasts from Monday to Friday on SABC 1 at 20h30.
Uzalo’s premiere in February 2015 attracted 5 million viewers. In the following months and years, the soapie has been the most viewed soapie in South Africa with over 9 million viewers watching. It is competing with Generations: The Legacy for highest viewed soapies in South Africa.
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