South Africa’s Minister of Sports, Arts and Culture, Gayton McKenzie, is facing mounting criticism over the ongoing payment crisis plaguing the BET Africa production, Queendom. The cast and crew of the drama series have expressed desperation and frustration over persistent payment delays, threatening their livelihoods.
According to the IOL, in an open letter addressed to Minister McKenzie, the cast and crew condemned the silence of government officials, industry organisations and broadcasters as they struggle through another crisis. The financial distress began unfolding in October, with the production facing three payment delays. The letter highlights the economic and emotional impact on families relying on these salaries, particularly during the crucial holiday season.
“We’re the ones facing the inescapable pit of a bleak festive season,” the letter reads. ”We’re the ones facing our disbelieving families, unpaid rent, food bills, and your stony silence.”
The cast and crew appealed to Minister McKenzie, urging him to address the ongoing financial issues. Their letter questioned his inaction, stating: “Those profit-mad power mongers are the cancer in our industry. Queendom is only the festering ulcer. But you, Minister MacKenzie? Where do you fit in? How will you break your silence?”
“We’ll be waiting for you to step up and address us on how producers and broadcasters can still play this game while everyone shrugs it off, and heads off on holiday,” the letter reads.
“Is this your Christmas present to us, besides Chris Brown concert tickets? Is this your legacy, ‘Minister of Happiness’? When will we be paid?”
The letter also expressed frustration towards Clive Morris Productions and BET Africa, accusing them of maintaining corporate indifference. The cast and crew called for immediate transformation and regulation.
In response, Khayelihle Gumede from Clive Morris Productions announced a revised payment plan, with outstanding November fees due on 23 December 2024. Production activities have been halted until January 2025, with a target to complete outstanding scenes by then.
He added: “This revised payment date will mean we cannot return to production for the anticipated period of 18 – 21 December and only see a potential return to production in January.” He noted that the production hopes to complete the outstanding Queendom scenes 101 to 130 over January 2025.
Gumede acknowledged the stress and anxiety induced among the cast and crew, promising that obligations would not be left unmet. He apologised for the further delay, saying, “For this reason, we continue to do all we can to ensure that, that is the final outcome. We apologise deeply for the further delay on payment.”
