By Menzi Magubane
Legendary South African actor Seputla Sebogodi has said only isiZulu-speaking actors are getting work these days.
On a podcast session on Saturday night, Sebogodi said that if you are an actor and not Zulu or can’t speak the language, you must be prepared to starve.
In recent years the industry has been dominated by isiZulu speakers, especially from KwaZulu-Natal. Sebogodi said actors and actresses that cannot speak IsiZulu aren’t finding it easy to get jobs because of the language barrier.
“We are not recognised. Please check all the soapies. This year I said no to five soapies or drama series; I said no. You ask me, ‘Can you speak Zulu?’ If you can’t speak Zulu, be prepared to starve,” said Sebogodi.
“Tell me one soapie without Zulus. In South Africa if you can’t speak Zulu, you are as good as scrambled eggs.”
Sebogodi, 60, who is a Sepedi speaker, may have a point as Zulu-speaking soapies and drama series are dominating SA TV. On SABC, there is Uzalo, Imbewu, Durban Gen and Generations The Legacy, Skeem Saam and Muvhango.
Uzalo is rated by the Broadcast Research Council of South Africa as the show with the greatest viewership. Research done in July this year showed that over 5.9 million people watch Uzalo.
On eTV, shows that are led by isiZulu speakers are House of Zwide, Scandal and The Black Door.
Actor Tiisetso Masike took to Twitter to share his outcry after losing three acting jobs because he cannot speak IsiZulu.
“Just lost a third acting gig this month, because I can’t speak Zulu. Batswana, please open film productions and cast us. We are starving and unemployed,” wrote Masike.
According to recent census data taken in 2011, isiZulu is the most widely spoken language in the country with 11.6 million speakers. IsiXhosa is close with 8.15 million speakers.
