Industry Peers Stand By Kagiso Modupe Amidst Unpaid Pimville Actors Saga
Industry Peers Stand By Kagiso Modupe Amidst Unpaid Pimville Actors Saga. Back in February, it was all excitement when Pimville aired its first episode. The new telenovela was promising with a star studded cast, and captivating storyline.
Produced by Bakwena Productions, Pimville shines a light on the pulse of township life where dreams collide with reality, secrets unravel, and family bonds are tested. With an exceptional ensemble cast and a storyline rich in authenticity, the telenovella was poised to become one of South Africa’s most compelling television experiences.
Sadly with only three months in, Pimville, is at the centre of hectic drama. Production has been halted, as reports of non-payment of cast and crew surfaced. There are allegations of financial mismanagement by the leadership of the production house, Rashaka “Rush” Muofhe. The South African Broadcasting Corporation, has distanced itself from the issue. They issued a firm update that placed responsibility on Bakwena Productions.
Kagiso Modupe, who has been receiving backlash since the news broke, has finally decided to share his side of the story. Taking to social media, he revealed that Pimville is a collaborations between Bakwena Productions and Brenda Mukwevho. Kagiso explained that he is not responsible for finances, and that he himself hasn’t been paid as a head director.
“Once the contract was signed, I was then removed from the Executive Producer to being a head director. Since the inception of the show, I have never been involved or had it been my responsibility to take care of any financial functioning of the show. That is the responsibility of the channel, the executive producer, the producer, and the line producer. My job as the head director was to make sure that I deliver a good quality product that can be enjoyed by consumers,” Kagiso said.
He also stated that financial woes came in early days of the show, with workers not getting paid. When Kagiso tried to raise his concerns on the issue with his partners, he was told to stay in his lane. He stated that he is in solidarity with everyone who hasn’t been paid for their work in Pimville.
After posting the video, a number of his colleagues including those in Pimville stood by him. The likes of Keke Mphuthi, Mapaseka Koetle, Winnie Ntshaba, Zola Hashatsi, Gabisile Tshabalala, Lerato Mvelase, Bonko Khoza, Gaisang Noge, Sphamandla Dhludhlu and Chris Radebe gave Kagiso their full support.
