Muvhango Is Broke: Actors On Strike, Were Not Paid Their Salaries

Actors on SABC2’s iconic Tshivenda soapie Muvhango allegedly refused to read their scripts because they had not been paid in October.

According to City Press, cast and crew members went on strike on Monday and Tuesday after not being paid on Monday.


Muvhango’s cast celebrated their 25th anniversary this year, and they even invited their former actors to join them. The cast has recently been trending after viewers revealed that they want the soapie cut off.

According to reports, the award-winning cast members have been told to put their debit orders on hold because the production will only be able to make their payments later in the week.

Under the condition of anonymity, an actor confirmed to City Press this week that they had not been paid and had decided to take a break until their salaries were paid.

As one actor put it,

“We were supposed to be back filming the new season on Monday, but we have not been paid our salaries as we were supposed to on the last day of the month. So, we have decided to stay away from filming until we are paid.”

Mmoni Seapolelo, a SABC spokesperson, did not respond to an inquiry at the time of publication.

City Press obtained an internal staff communication notice directed to producers that informed employees of the production company, Word of Mouth, that payments would be made on November 4.

“This memo is to inform you, the producer, of a payment delay due at the end of October. Please keep in mind that payment will be made on November 4, 2022.”

Pumla Hopa, the Muvhango series’ producer, declined to comment.

“I have nothing to say about that. Please contact the executive producer of the show,” she said. The show’s line producer, Yeshica Naidoo, was unavailable for comment.

This isn’t the first time the popular show has been in the news for allegedly failing to pay actors on time.