Shona Ferguson finally speaks after being accused of recycling actors

Shona Ferguson, has responded to the allegation that they recycled actors in their latest production Kings of Joburg, which premiered last Friday.

The media moguls Shona and his wife Connie Ferguson recently released a star-studded trailer of their latest African original series on Netflix Kings of Joburg and it reignited the #OpenUpTheIndustry.

Fans were not impressed seeing the likes of Zolisa Xaluva, Sthembiso Khoza, Abdul Khoza, Tsholo Matshaba Cindy Mahlangu, and the creator himself Shona Ferguson, without new faces. They went to accuse the creators of not opening up the industry, but Shona has since debunked the allegation.

Shona says the term #OpenUpTheIndustry is misused by bullies who want to bring other actors down. He says it is unfair to cast away other actors.

“The term “recycling actors” is very insulting to actors in our industry. Actors act. That’s what they do for a living. Saying because they’ve been on 1 project they should be cast away and someone new must be cast is unfair. I have never cared for this particular phrase “open up the industry” because it’s what we do every day of our lives.

“We give hundreds of actors work opportunities every single year, we give long term work to loyal hard-working actors and crew, so “Open Up the industry” is, unfortunately, a statement that is misused by bullies to tear others down. The number one rule to getting anything worthwhile done is to never get distracted by misinformed opinions. The industry IS open. You are just not doing enough to get the attention of casting directors. Complaining will never get any door open for you. Hard work and perseverance definitely will,” explains Shona.