Cape Town – Veteran producer Mfundi Vundla has explained why he fired 16 actors from the popular soap Generations in 2014.
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.
Remember when the Generations 16 was fired?
Mfundi Vundla gives #947DriveWithThando HIS perspective…. Your thoughts? pic.twitter.com/4gAhxq5w7L
— Thando Thabethe (@Thando_Thabethe) March 13, 2026
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.”
At the time, the actors cited unresolved grievances over royalties and longer contracts.
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Compiled by Betha Madhomu
