Contract dispute ends Uzalo and Dabula’s relationship ; the actor’s short appearance in the show was not really plannedThis week, Uzalo fans were shocked when their new favourite character, Bentley, played by seasoned actor Vuyo Dabula, – less than a month after appearing in the series.
Questions were asked about this, with many expressing disappointment.
An insider has alleged that Dabula, who played Gadaffi in Generations: The Legacy, left the show because of contractual disagreements with Stained Glass Productions, which produces the show.According to the source, Dabula was expected to uproot his life in Johannesburg in order to be on set every day in Durban during filming. He therefore wanted extra money as compensation for his move to KwaZulu-Natal.
The individual said:
Vuyo wanted more money than they were willing to offer. Being in Uzalo long-term meant that he had to move to Durban and be on set every day for about 12 hours, so it wasn’t going to work for him.
The source added that neither Dabula nor Gugu Zuma-Ncube and Kobedi “Pepsi” Pokane, who co-own Stained Glass, were willing to compromise.Gugu and Pepsi weren’t willing to increase his salary. They didn’t give in to his demands, which is why his character was killed off so quickly. He’d been brought in to help raise the show’s ratings,” he said.
There was excitement last month after Uzalo posted Dabula on its Instagram page, announcing that he had joined the show. However, eyebrows were raised when the post was deleted shortly thereafter.
Even Dabula took to his Instagram page to voice his shock, with a “note to self” caption.
He wrote:
They [Uzalo] seem to have removed that new character post. Weird, but it’s all good. I come in peace, as always, so much love to you, king. The chips are down and you’re all alone, battered and with too many [losses]. But keep going, soldier, [even if you’re] misunderstood and hated. Love yourself, no matter what. Bentley forever, Vuyo Dabula .
However, he then posted again, to clear up the misunderstanding.
“We’re here. I had an amicable conversation with Uzalo about the removal of the new character post. The fact that they called me to assure me there was no issue and offering an explanation says a lot about the spirit of this production. I’m forever grateful that is a family move. [They] felt my pain and responded, even in [their] position of power. That’s not very common,” he wrote.
Dabula told City Press that the Uzalo team had been good to him, adding that he preferred not to be interviewed.
Uzalo publicist Nomfundo Zondi did not answer directly to questions sent to her about Dabula’s exit, other than to suggest that he had had a deliberately short stint.
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“We’re very excited about the casting of the talented Vuyo Dabula to portray Bentley Majozi, who’ll enter our world briefly, but will leave an impactful mark, as he’s been brought in with the sole purpose of [creating] drama and suspense to shake up KwaMashu and leave the viewers stunned,” read the statement she shared.