Shona Ferguson sets the record 'straight' on claims of recycling actors: report

Nearly a week since the premiere of Netflix's Kings of Joburg, a few unhappy South Africans have called out Ferguson Films for 'recycling actors'. 

Kings of Joburg is a 6-part series that premiered on the 4th of December featuring actors such as Zolisa Xaluva, TK Sebothoma, Tsholofelo Matshaba and Thembi Seete amongst others. 

Ferguson Films is also responsible for current productions such as Unmarried, The Queen and previously Igazi, The Throne and Rockville. 

They have come under fire countless times for not including new talent in their productions.

Read more | REVIEW | Kings of Joburg

See the tweets below:

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In an exclusive interview with Tswalebs, Shona spoke about his role on Kings of Joburg and set the record straight on these claims. 

"The term "recycling actors" is very insulting to actors in our industry. Actors act. That's what they do for a living. Saying because they've been on 1 project they should be cast away and someone new must be cast is unfair".

"I have never cared for this particular phrase "open up the industry" because it's what we do every day of our lives. We open up the industry to new and old talent. We open up the industry to the world," he said. 

"We give hundreds of actors work opportunity every single year, we give long term work to loyal-hardworking actors and crew, so "Open Up the industry" is unfortunately a statement that is misused by bullies to tear others down". 

In a recent interview with Zalebs, Connie Ferguson echoed these sentiments and shared that aspiring actors and actresses need agents that will be dedicated to helping them make their dreams a reality. 

"People need to pester their agents because the bottom line is that we send out briefs to agents, we don't have one on one contact with actors", she said.