SABC3’s soapie Isidingo is going public with its backstage troubles, telling the world that it is having a disciplinary hearing for its actor Don Mlangeni-Nawa.
Mlangeni-Nawa famously refused to say “Standard Bank” and endorse the South African bank in his script lines at the end of last year that was part of paid-for, in-show product placement that isn't disclosed to viewers.
Endemol South Africa that produces Isidingo for SABC3 is now sharing with the South African TV industry that a disciplinary hearing was held for Don Mlangeni-Nawa on Monday.
It could spell the end of the character of Zebedee Matabane on the soap which is not only struggling in
the ratings but which has been experiencing a troubled set for longer than a year and a half and which has seen the constant exit of crew and longtime cast members since mid 2012.
The shocking statement of Don Mlangeni-Nawa’s disciplinary hearing seems to serve as a warning shot to other Isidingo "complainers", although it also inflicts more public reputational damage, willingly and deliberately, to the brands of Isidingo, Endemol South Africa and SABC3.
With Endemol South Africa publicly embarrassing one of its own and its own on-air talent, the company not only damages its own name, but also the brands of Isidingo and SABC3.
‘No actor or crew member is bigger than Isidingo’
Endemol South Africa is now washing its dirty laundry in public, informing the press that Mlangeni-Nawa is having a disciplinary hearing "as a result of the actor's disregard for conduct codes and lack of discipline while contracted to the Endemol produced daily drama".
Source: Channel 24
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