Former SABC3’s Isidingo actor Rajesh Kumar, real name Jack Devnarain has bashed the South African Broadcasting Corporation after it allegedly failed to pay actors commercial exploitation fees since 1997!
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Taking to his official social media page(s), Jack Devnarain says that he worked on a contract with Isidingo for 15 years and to date, not one actor has been paid a cent by the national broadcaster.
Jack Devnarain was responding to a SABC commercial encouraging viewers to pay their TV license fees and that it was the right thing to do.
“I worked on a contract with #Isidingo for 15yrs (15 x 1yr contracts). The #SABC contract guarantees the right to earn commercial exploitation fees. Since 1997 to date NOT ONE ACTOR HAS BEEN PAID A CENT. So yes, let’s talk about #TheRightThingToDo,” says Jack Devnrain.
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Tshabalala M (in responding to Jack Devnarain) says that his colleagues who post on Instagram about their luxurious lifestyles are part of the problem.
“Your colleagues who post on Instagram about their luxurious lifestyles are part of the problem. They are defeating the narrative that actors are being exploited. Celebrity in SA is still associated with wealth and luxury lifestyles,” says @RealMTshabalala.
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Jack Devnarain agreed with Tshabalala and responded by saying that he does not begrudge those actors for their fame and fortune.
“Correct. I don’t begrudge those actors for their fame & fortune. But I’d love to ask them what they know about the contract they signed. There was one such on a radio interview with me who insisted he was paid ‘royalties’. When I proved him wrong (respectfully), he cut the call!” explains Jack Devnarain.
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Jack Devnarain says that it’s time to correct the injustices on behalf of those that did not have the platform to negotiate contracts, including those that are suffering and can’t pay their bills.
Watch His Plea Below: