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Isidingo cast sitting at home
27/01/2008 21:55 - (SA)
Cecil Motsepe
Johannesburg - The actors from Isidingo are facing an uncertain future after talk that the popular soapie will be canned because of contractual problems with the SABC.
On Monday, all actors were told to stay at home until further notice.
City Press can reveal that Endemol SA, which produces the daily SABC3 soapie, halted production on Monday after the SABC had failed to sign a new contract.
It is understood the two parties are quarrelling about finances.
Endemol is insisting the SABC should pump more money into the production of the award-winning soapie.
Now, Isidingo stars like Hlubi Mboya, Meshack Mavuso, Keketso Semoko, Lesego Motsepe and Sthandiwe Kgoroge are sitting at home.
A source said: "Everyone is scared because no one knows what is going on. People were taken by surprise when we were told to stop coming to work until further notice. No explanation was given."
Started negotiations nine months ago
Endemol chief executive Harrie Linders confirmed he had stopped production after the three-year contract with the SABC lapsed last week.
He said the SABC still had not signed the new contract although they had started negotiations about nine months ago.
"I have no contract on my desk signed by the SABC. I don't understand why they're taking so long when they were warned in time," he said.
Linders dismissed talk that the delay had to do with money. He said it had more to do with SABC bureaucracy.
SABC spokesperson Kaizer Kganyago admitted the broadcaster had delayed signing the new contract.
"There are no conflicts between the SABC and Endemol. The process to renew the contract started, but it went beyond the date when the existing contract ended," he said.
He said the SABC was confident this would not affect viewers as Endemol had shot advance episodes.
He could not say when the SABC would sign the contract.
- City Press
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South Africa
