Background actors working on the popular television soap Muvhango have once again not been paid their wages.
The actors were booked through Turning Heads Casting Agency, which is owned by Nonkululeko Ndlovu, the daughter of well-known producer Duma Ndlovu.
Ndlovu is the creator and executive producer of Muvhango.
The actors allege that they have been blocked on WhatsApp and that Ndlovu’s email is no longer accepting messages.
As a result, they are now threatening to stage a sit-in at the SABC studios to demand payment.
Actors frustrated by casting agency
“I got this job through a friend, and then I received a WhatsApp message from Turning Heads. I was happy because it was better than sitting at home and doing nothing,” said one of the aggrieved actors who did not want to be identified.
“It’s been seven months already, and I haven’t received my money. I’ve made numerous attempts to get my money, but she simply ignores my calls. She has also blocked me on WhatsApp. Now, I don’t know what else to do.”
Another actor, who also requested to remain anonymous, said: “I am among the aggrieved background actors because I haven’t been paid for February and March 2025.
“Every time I ask for my money, she [Nonkululeko] tells me to resend my personal details and the dates I worked. I don’t understand why I must resend them because she already has that information.
“Last week, I tried to resend the same information, but the email bounced back. It’s no longer working. I’m frustrated because I really need that money. I’m currently owed about R1 000.”
Threat to stage protest at SABC offices
Sunday World has seen emails sent to Turning Heads that were returned as undeliverable.
“If Turning Heads keeps ignoring us, we will simply go to the SABC and sit there until we get our money,” said another frustrated actor.
“We understand that the SABC does not owe us directly, but they have a duty to ensure that talent is not exploited by rogue agencies like this one.”
In December, Sunday World reported on a similar sit-in staged by Muvhango background actors at the SABC headquarters in Auckland Park. At that time, the SABC did not respond.
Both the SABC and Ndlovu were approached for comment but had not responded at the time of publication.
