Actor Seputla Sebogodi: I feel we can go back to apartheid'

Actor Seputla Sebogodi: I feel we can go back to apartheid'[WATCH] Former The River, Generations' actor Seputla Sebogodi reveals on the King David podcast why apartheid was better for actors.

by Rae Seleme

20-12-2022 08:22

in Entertainment

Former The River' actor Seputla Sebogodi opens up about apartheid. Image via Twitter @SeputlaS

Veteran actor Seputla Sebogodi, who is popularly known for his roles in The River and Generations, revealed on the King David podcast that actors were paid and treated better during apartheid.

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ALSO READ:Bheki Cele inspires Seputla Sebogodi to play a dirty cop in Redemption'

WATCH AT 1:02

I THOUGHT APARTHEID WAS BAD, BUT ACTUALLY' The former The River actor Seputla Sebogodi, who currently plays the character of Captain Mthethwa in BET_Africa's Redemption, added: I feel we can go back to apartheid . He also opened up about the entertainment industry.

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Recently I had thoughts of wanting to quit. Because people can hate you for speaking the truth. This stuff is public knowledge of how much actors are getting paid.

The politics in acting are not good. I used to think apartheid was bad, but I would differ. Now if you ask me, I'd say no, actually, I feel we can go back to apartheid. We'll make more money.

The star also tells King David that it doesn't make sense to him that someone can still offer him the same pay rate in 2022 that he was earning in 1987.

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Same offer that I had in 1987. And the treatment was much better although there's a thing of you're black' but the money was much better. State Theatre used to employ something like 32 to 52 actors that were working every month, earning a salary.

ALSO READ:Actors Themba Ndaba and Seputla Sebogodi join Redemption'

No Tribalism here and iqinisile lendoda last line pic.twitter.com/r7mbwDzSyB

inkosi yasegoli The Retweetist (@uMapendani) October 22, 2022

SEPUTLA SEBOGODI: IF YOU CAN'T SPEAK ZULU, PREPARE TO STARVE' The star actor Seputla Sebogodi also reveals in the interview that the South African entertainment industry is biased towards Zulu actors and actors who can speak isiZulu.

This year I said no to five soapies or drama series. I said no. Because you ask me, you ask me, Can you speak Zulu'? My brother, if you can't speak Zulu be prepared to starve. Tell me one soapie without Zulu's, I will give you a million (Rand). In South Africa, if you can't speak Zulu, you are as good as scrambled eggs. It's a big thing

IHarare reports that the former The River actor added that if an actor/actress cannot speak isiZulu in South Africa, they are likely to starve in the entertainment industry.

Sepedi-speaking actor Seputla Sebogodi accused the entertainment industry of being biased and warned that actors who do not speak isiZulu fluently, will find it hard to get roles. He added that actors who do not speak the language, are not recognised.

The star also revealed in an interview with The Sowetan that despite new opportunities and the inclusion of black people in drama schools, many battles being fought today such as financial hardships have existed since his time at classic productions, such as Bophelo ke Semphekgo.

I want the industry to be regulated and I would love for a union that can take care of the actors. And I hope development is something that our government can do.

This is an industry that can create a lot of jobs and is an industry that helped break the walls of apartheid. People knew about apartheid because of plays.

ALSO READ:Lunathi Mampofu takes a break from The River'

Bheki Cele is said to be the inspiration for the character portrayal of Captain Mthethwa on #BETRedemption. Join @SeputlaS as he unpacks his preparation for the role.

New episodes every Mon Thurs at 18:00 CAT | Repeats at 21:30 CAT on @DStv CH129. #BETAfricaOriginal pic.twitter.com/NQIsjlTVMA

BET Africa (@BET_Africa) November 2, 2022

ALSO READ: The character requires a lot of me': Redemption' actor Sparky Xulu

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LINK:	https://www.thesouthafrican.com/culture/entertainment/breaking-actor-s...
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