Famous thespian Clint Brink, who started his acting career on Backstage, has criticised the television industry for not being inclusive.
A couple of weeks ago, a debate erupted on social media about how most TV shows are packaged in IsiZulu and IsiXhosa, and not giving other languages a platform to shine.
Veteran actor Seputla Sebogodi joined the conversation and shared that on most TV shows, if one cannot speak in Isizulu, they must prepare themselves for starvation.
Sebogodi revealed that this year alone, he turned down offers from five drama series after he was asked if he could speak in Isizulu.
I imagine these production houses have the demographic split of where they get the most viewership from
Perhaps having a Zulu character is strategic in acting as a gateway for Zulu audiences to engage with the show (if Zulu demographic is the highest in soapies) https://t.co/9rRAdAD8AK
— monnapula (@SchachaZulu) October 23, 2022
Brink, who is also a singer and a fitness enthusiast, has also starred in Scandal! Rockville and Binnelanders.
He shared on social media on Wednesday how the television industry has failed to embrace different cultures and ethnic groups, stating that art should never be about divisions, but rather about bridging the gap.
“Backstage, the CPT version, was one of the very few shows that showcased our diversity by successfully integrating different cultures and languages,” he wrote.
BACKSTAGE ( the CPT version ) was one of the very few 🇿🇦 shows that showcased our diversity by successfully integrating different cultures & languages. Since then , the TV industry has become very much non inclusive by grouping people together by ethnicity & keeping it that way.
— Clint Brink (@ClintOnTheBrink) October 26, 2022
Brink further stated that the divisions in the industry are supported and perpetuated in the name of Living Standards Measure [a marketing and research tool used in South Africa to classify standards of living and disposable income] by creating specific content for certain cultural groups.
“Fair enough, I can completely understand the business behind these decisions and divisions, as it serves their bottom line, but the danger is it blatantly supports the perpetuation of division between races in SA,” he wrote.
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