Black Christmas for ‘Queendom’ actors

Queendom actors will have a black Christmas after producers of the series failed to honour their promise to pay them on December 23.

Instead of payments, the actors received another notification that they would not be paid, without clarity about when payments will be made.

The statement, which was shared with TshisaLIVE by an actor who preferred to be anonymous, reads: “Dear team Queendom, it is with the heaviest heart that we have to inform you all that the promised payment today cannot be honoured. Nor can we provide clarity or confirmation on an updated payment date. Despite our best efforts and extensive negotiation with all stakeholders, the obligations required to ensure payment today could not be met.

“It is a hard and gut-wrenching message to deliver on the eve of Christmas. No words can repair this. No apology can soften the blow. Your work on this production has been incredible. It makes this news so much worse because none are more deserving of payment than this team. Once we have the clarity we require to commit to an updated payment date, we will do so. We hoped this would not be the message we are forced to deliver today. We hoped for so much for the people who have given their all to the show.”

Last week, sport, arts and culture minister Gayton McKenzie criticised the cast and crew of BET Africa’s telenovela  for the way they sought help from the department.

The cast and crew, who claim to have not been paid since October, expressed outrage in an open letter, accusing McKenzie of silence and inaction regarding their plight.

McKenzie said he was never directly approached for help.

“This approach helps no-one. The National School of the Arts wrote to us, respectfully, and we helped them. Who among you approached me first? Now I’m catching smoke because I gave people concert tickets. Is this really how to ask for help?” McKenzie said.

The producers of Queendom were unavailable to comment.