It is a new production set on the backdrop of an Eastern Cape township. Local upcoming movie, The Ungovernable, tells the story of rebellious high school teenagers experimenting with narcotics. The story was inspired by the tragic incident that happened Enyobeni Tavern in the Eastern Cape and it's meant to spread awareness on alcohol and drug abuse. Cast with award-winning actors such as Lusanda Mbane, Bukiwe Keva Charmaine Mtita, Ayanda Daweti and gospel singer Betusile Mcinga, the production wrapped in December 2023 on a sour note after the crew and cast were not paid. The staff on the production tell ZiMoja that they have not enjoyed their holiday season after the production company, Zero43 Media, failed to pay salaries on time.

The Ungovernable is produced by screenplay writer Sithembile Xaso of Zero43 Media. According to an insider, the crew and cast were not paid on time and those who received payment were not paid in full. "It took them time to pay us, and by the time they did, they did not give the full amounts," says one source. Another says they have not been paid at all. "I have not received my money and I am not the only person. Some senior actors apparently got paid eventually, but I cannot ask them directly, it's not my business, but it's unfair that some people got paid and others got paid in half."

During the festive season, Zero43 Media started shooting a documentary for e-TV. "Why did they not use the money to pay for the cast and crew for The Ungovernable? How do you move to a new production without settling your debt on the other?" asks a source. "This shows the level of disrespect for the crew in this country. People have been complaining about this for years. We have to settle with incompetency on set and still deal with late payments." 

Another source says the production which had prominent actors still struggled to run smoothly. "There was lack of timekeeping, actors were leaving due to lack of communication and there was just a lot to fault about the production," the source adds. "But people carried on working despite the odds being against them. The least you can do is pay people and pay them on time." The source says all the extras on the production have not been paid. "But he went ahead and shot another production."

TO HIS DEFENCE

Speaking on the concerns of his staff, Sithembile says this is a passion project for him and with over 40 employees the film is meant to educate, create employment for the community of the Eastern Cape and also build the film industry in the province. "The company was made official in 2022, after the horrible effects of the COVID-19 pandemic," Sithembile says. "The first production we did was The Whistle, followed by a few others. We have worked tirelessly on the movie; we are in the final stages of editing. We experienced a lot of challenges along the way, one being funding of the movie. But we have secured funders from the NFVF, the ECDC and Eastern Cape Liquor Board. The aim of including a star-studded cast was to help train the younger actors who had been given leading roles. We wanted to really give the actors from the Eastern Cape leading roles. Yes, we encountered many issues because we were working with a budget that was half." With regards to the new boxing documentary, Sithembile says, he had a minimal budget and that was to only employ 10 people. "We have a small team for the documentary and again it is to tell the history of boxing in the Eastern Cape."