Actor Vusi Thanda, recently went viral for asking South Africans for donations. After claiming that the South African Broadcasting Commission (SABC) owes him royalties for the popular sitcom, Emzini Wezinsizwa.
Vusi also mentioned that he is scared to speak up after being criticised for asking Mzansi for donations.
“I used to receive royalties from the SABC,” said the 71-year-old.
“But they stopped and I don’t know why. All attempts to get clarity failed.”
Speaking to IOL, SABC’s group executive for corporate affairs and marketing, Gugu Ntuli, quickly dismissed Thanda’s claims. Saying that the broadcaster was up to date with sending out royalty payments to the actor.
“It must also be noted that Emzini Wezinsizwa was last broadcast on SABC 1 two years ago and any claims for the last repeat for Mr Thanda have been settled.”
“In terms of repeat fee payments, it must be noted that actors need to submit claims in order for the SABC to make payment. If no claim is submitted, the SABC would not be in a position to process as there would be no record of a claim.”
According to Sowetan, South Africans donated R100 000 into his Capitec bank account as he was behind with his rent and owed his landlord R45 000 rent. This is after his video went viral. The veteran actor thanked Mzansi for their generosity.
“Ndifuna ubulela abantu bonke nge ncebakazi engaka. [I want to thank those who donated for such generosity]. Their donations have reached R100,000 and I am thankful for that. I don’t care about those who have criticised me for asking for help from the public. These are people who called themselves friends but they were not there when I needed them. Some of them knew my situation but they never assisted me,” he said.
He fell sick in 2020 and suffers from diabetes. The thespian has since been unemployed and lives by his R1,985 grant, and lives in a two-bedroom flat in Roodepoort that costs R5,000 monthly.
“In our industry, if you are not shooting you won’t get paid. When I appealed to South Africans it was because I had no choice. I was sitting here on my bed on Tuesday when I heard a very rude knock on my door. When I opened it, it was my landlord wanting his rent money. I have not been able to pay rent since late last year. I owe the landlord about R45,000.”
“The pension money that I survive on is not enough to buy groceries, pay for my son’s school fees, his transport and buy my diabetic medication. Last year, I had to shoot Ikhaya Labadala not feeling well because I needed the money. This year, I have not even auditioned because there are no roles for people of my age.”
Majority of the Ministers who have occupied the Arts & Culture Dpt have been useless.1 of them wanted to use Gov funds to bring Beyoncé, the other one took his friends to Miami. Reality is none of them have dealt with policies that have kept those in the Arts die or retire broke pic.twitter.com/vapBbZZ8fX
— Juba Elimhlophe (@JjSesing) September 22, 2022
It does not end there. Thanda has also disclosed on DJ Sbu’s podcast Hustler’s Corner how the late producer Shona Ferguson assisted him financially when he was too sick to work.
The former The Queen actor spoke of how Connie Ferguson’s late husband Shona Ferguson respected him.
“He respected me, he called me in different ways, papa, father together with his wife,” he said.
He also added that two years ago, Shona used to send him money and encouraged him to keep going.
“You know Sho sent his driver with a voucher of R5000 and said, tell him to guy buy food because Diabetes is a sickness that is related to food. “Thereafter he called me and gave me R12 000 for three months every month end. I appreciate the company’s love.”
Thanda also expressed his gratitude to the Fergusons for helping him through the toughest times, especially financially.
The legendary actor also says he was shocked when he first heard about Shona’s passing.
“I couldn’t believe it. That young man was so strong. What a loving man,” he shares.