Cape Town – Former Generations actors Zolisa Xaluva and Zikhona Sodlaka have challenged producer Mfundi Vundla’s version of events from their 2014 exit, saying his recent comments misrepresent what really happened.
Speaking to Thando Thabethe on 94.7, Vundla said the dismissals followed a strike over royalties.
He described an incident on set: “In the middle of the scene, whilst the scene is being shot, Thato [Mulamu] walks into the scene. This guy is an actor. He just walks into the scene and whispers something in Menzi’s ear. Menzi [Ngubeni] drops everything and walks out.”
Vundla said the actors were unhappy about not receiving royalties and expected him to fight for them.
“Royalties are paid by the broadcaster, number one. I don’t own the show. It’s owned by the broadcaster. Basically, they wanted me to fight the battle, and I refused,” he said.
He added that the strike was a breach of contract and issued a four-day deadline for the actors to return to work. “You’ve walked out. You have four days… If you don’t return to work, it’s all over. They didn’t turn up. And that’s it,” he said.
Vundla emphasised the personal significance of the show: “I created a show which I was extremely proud of. And I said, nobody’s going to mess with my dream. You don’t mess with my dream.”
Zolisa and Zikhona said they did not previously respond publicly but felt compelled to correct the narrative.
Zolisa rejected claims they demanded royalties from Vundla, explaining the dispute was based on legal concerns involving contracts with both Morula Pictures and the SABC.
Zikhona added that the group — known as the “Generations 16” — were already in contractual discussions with the SABC and insisted they were not fired, but chose to walk off.
Both actors emphasised the dispute was not about salaries, but a broader legal fight to improve rights and working conditions for all principal actors at the public broadcaster.
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Compiled by Betha Madhomu
