SABC responds to struggling actor Vusi Thanda’s public plea for assistance

The South African Broadcasting Corporation (SABC) has responded to veteran actor Vusi Thanda’s public appeal for financial assistance in a viral video that caused a social media uproar last week.

In a statement sent to IOL Entertainment, the SABC’s Group Executive: Corporate Affairs and Marketing Gugu Ntuli said Thanda is not owed any compensation by the public broadcaster. The SABC can confirm that our records show that we are up to date with submitted payments for repeat fees in regards to Mr Vusi Thanda,” said Ntuli.

“It must also be noted that ‘Emzini Wezinsizwa’ was the last broadcast on SABC 1 two years ago, and any claims for the last repeat for Mr Thanda have been settled.”

In her statement, Ntuli stated that the “SABC empathises with the plight of Mr Thanda” and therefore encouraged him to contact the public broadcaster directly for any outstanding fees that may be due to him.

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,” added Ntuli. This comes after the former “The Queen” actor was seen in a video clip asking for with donations.

“I am Vusumzi A Thanda, and I bank with Capitec. I would like to thank all those who listened to my message and acted on it. May you do the same to other people as well. This is my bank card with my account number,” Thanda said in the video.

Speaking to IOL Entertainment, the Eastern-Cape born star confirmed that he is going through financial challenges, adding that his rent was in arrears, and as a result, he was on the verge of being evicted from his flat.

“Tuesday this week, I was sitting on my bed when a hard knock came on my door. When I opened the door, it was the owners of this flat. They told me they have come to throw me out,” he said.

“I went to son’s school, and they said ‘we don’t want your child here, not without the money’. Then I knew I had to do something. I then bumped into this lady that helped me, and she said, let me go to the Arts and Culture (Department of Arts and Culture), but they were not willing to help me.
She then said, ‘What about your royalties at the SABC?’. She went to the SABC, and there was no money for me there. She then said, let’s go on Facebook and plead to the South Africans that’s how that video got to be made,” he said.

The veteran actor explained he was diagnosed with diabetes in October 2020, and he has not been able to work since

I am scared to talk now – Actor Vusi Thanda

EMzini Wensiziswa’ actor Vusi Thanda says people have been calling him and criticising him for seeking help since the R100 000 donation. The Queen and eMzini Wensiziswa actor Vusi Thanda says he’s now scared to talk now as he’s received calls from people criticising him for going public about his problems since receiving R100 000 donations from South Africans.
The Legendary actor Vusi Thanda, who is famously known for his roles in The Queen and eMzini Wensiziswa has also revealed that people have stopped donating since receiving R100 000 donations this past week.

Thanda told Daily Sun that he’s received calls from people who judged him for sharing his financial problems on social media. I am scared to talk now. I am old and I can’t take such treatment from young people.

The 71-year-old made headlines this past week when he appealed to the public for financial assistance by dropping a video pleading for assistance and sharing his banking details and thanked people in advance for their generosity. Sowetan reported that the actor’s donations have totalled R100,000 so far since the video went viral.

“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.

'The Queen' and 'eMzini Wezinsizwa' actor Vusi Thanda thanks Mzansi for donating R100 000 to his account as he owed his landlord R45 000. It's shocking that he doesn't have a house and he is still renting at his age. The entertainment industry is brutal ? pic.twitter.com/iYSgCnomjx

— Ghostlady  (@ghostladysa) September 25, 2022

National chairperson of Saga and Imbewu: The Seed actor, Jack Devnarain told Sowetan that the industry will continue to see performers begging for help because of unchanged labour laws that do not support freelancers.

“What we saw on social media was a terrible insult to the dignity and career of such an experienced performer. It is heartbreaking that it is vulnerable performers who must suffer this humiliation. The man is clearly on the verge of being destitute.”

“He is not getting a role, which is a reality that performers face at some point. This is a fate for every freelance actor. We have not acknowledged this and not amended [our] labour laws to protect freelancers.

Veteran actor Vusi Thanda seeks for financial help

South African actor Tshawe has come publicly to seek financial help. In a video that has made rounds on social media, the legend shared his banking details, hoping to get money from people. The video has triggered lots of people including celebrities like Pearl Thusi, who are saddened at the rate old actors and legends seek financial help.

Taking to Instagram, Pearl urged her colleagues and friends to help him. This is so heartbreaking… artists who have inspired and entertained us for many years are now on their knees asking for help. Please let’s help,” she wrote.

“What’s cruel is how the SABC continues to undercut artists as they continue to make money “in perpetuity” and what’s worse is how artists can’t come together and fight this because we’re so divided… things need to change,” Pearl added.

Another tweep wrote, “I wonder what’s happening to mzansi celebs? This is Tshawe an actor…please guys, if you have at least R10, just offer, God will bless