The future of Muvhango actors is hanging by a thread. A bird has whispered to ZiMoja that anxiety has creeped into cast members of Muvhango who are still in the dark when it comes to their contracts.

CONTRACT DRAMA CONTINUES

Sources close to the production say that contracts are due to be signed by end of April, which is the end of the financial year, but there are still no talks and negotiations between the producers with the actors. The source said usually by this time of the year, actors know what is happening and that they have direction or indication of what is happening with their future. An actor who spoke to ZiMoja on condition of anonymity said it is hard to plan their lives especially around this time of the year when one works for Muvhango. "We are concerned. Month end is slowly approaching and no one is saying anything to us. We don't know whether we should start looking for jobs elsewhere or if we must just wait and hope our contracts get renewed," the actor said.

FINANCIAL YEAR ENDS THIS MONTH 

Another source added that the soapie's creator and executive producer Duma Ndlovu is as frustrated as the cast and crew because he is also waiting for answers from the powers that be. "His actors and the production company are still waiting for answers from the SABC. Maybe the negotiations are still under way," The source also said that most actors are scared that they might still earn the same salary or less at the end of April since there won't be enough time to negotiate their contracts. "By now people usually know how much they'll be earning or whether they are leaving or joining the new season. These people are treating our profession as if it is some charity," added the frustrated actor. Another cast member told ZiMoja that some actors were not even paid for three months and they have been complaining. "People are scared to come forward and expose what is happening at the SABC because they will be written off and will never get jobs. Not everyone is as vocal as Vatiswa Ndara who is also struggling to get jobs at the moment," added the source. Ndlovu said he does not comment on matters related to contracts and promised to forward our enquiry to his PR team. The PR team had not responded by the time of publication. Muvhango line producer ,Yeshica Naidoo, asked to be called after an hour, but when ZiMoja called, she ignored our calls.