Fired 'Generations' Actors Seek CCMA Help; SABC Shelving The South African Soap in October

Fired Generations actors Slindile Nodangala, Patrick Shai and Thato Molamu.

Sixteen actors fired from South African soap opera Generations have approached the Commission for Conciliation, Mediation and Arbitration (CCMA) to seek reinstatement, they said on Friday.

The cast, organized under the "Generations Actors Guild" (Gag), said in a statement they were "unshaken" in their resolve to secure their demands. These include a reduction to 10 working hours a day, provision of social benefits, an end to inconsistencies in remuneration, payment of royalties, and better working conditions.

The actors were fired on August 18 for going on strike over a wage dispute. Gag said: "Throughout this process, we have engaged with our former employer and been clear about the fact that we are open to negotiation and discussions but we are resolute in our commitment to transforming unfair industry practices."

The actors expressed gratitude to their fans, the Congress of SA Trade Unions and the Creative Workers' Union of SA for their support. The labor organizations on Monday called for South Africans to boycott the show for a week in support of the actors' demands.

The principal cast of Generations went on strike last month and were promptly fired by Mfundi Vundla and MMSV Productions with the permission of the SABC.

As a result, the SABC has been forced to shelf the public broadcaster's biggest revenue earner, admitting that Generations will disappear from the SABC1 schedule in October, calling it part of a "minor schedule change."

RELATED:
* 'Generations' Cast Fired After Striking For More Pay: Future of Popular South African Soap Opera Uncertain