Johannesburg – Veteran South African actor Glen Gabela has made startling accusations against Stained Glass, the production house behind the popular television drama 'Uzalo', claiming that the company's actions have led to the devastation of his personal and professional life. Gabela, a seasoned performer with a career spanning decades, shared his harrowing story on 'The Voice With Palesa' podcast, detailing the financial and emotional turmoil he has faced since his departure from the show.
Gabela's journey with 'Uzalo' began with high hopes and promises. He was headhunted for the role of Pastor Mdletshe when the show first launched, a character he believed would be a permanent fixture in the storyline. "I was told it was one of the permanent roles," Gabela explained, his voice tinged with disappointment. He embraced the opportunity, bringing his talent and experience to the character, and quickly became a familiar face to viewers across the country.
However, Gabela's optimism was short-lived. At the end of Season 4, he received a call that would change the course of his life. "I was called into the office and told my contract would be terminated," he revealed. The news came as a shock, leaving him reeling and uncertain about his future.
The termination of his contract with 'Uzalo' triggered a domino effect of financial and personal hardships. Gabela claims that the production house's decision to breach what he believed to be a permanent contract led to the collapse of his financial stability. "When they (Uzalo) breached that contract, my life went down," Gabela lamented. "My bank froze all of my accounts. My car was repossessed and my apartment in Emdloti was locked."
Unable to sustain himself through acting work, Gabela is now surviving on a government social grant.
The loss of income also had a devastating impact on his relationship with his daughter. Gabela revealed that the last time he saw his 22-year-old daughter was in 2018, shortly after he lost his contract on 'Uzalo'. "I used to send money for the upkeep of my daughter," he explained. However, his inability to provide financial support led to a breakdown in communication and a strained relationship. "But her mother, whom I was divorced from when I lost the contract, said she would raise her by herself. I do not know what poison she fed her, but to this day my daughter does not want to see me," Gabela said, his voice filled with anguish.
Adding to the tragedy, Gabela shared that his daughter's mother has since passed away without the two of them resolving their differences. "The sad part about my broken relationship with my daughter is that the mother passed away without resolving things between us," he said, highlighting the irreversible damage caused by the broken contract and the subsequent financial ruin.
Gabela's career extends far beyond his role in 'Uzalo'. He is a respected thespian who has graced both stage and screen for many years. He also appeared on Shaka Zulu, where he played the role of Shaka in 1988 after Henry Cele. However, even in this iconic role, Gabela claims he was short-changed. He revealed that when he was approached for the role, he was told he would be paid R40, 000, but somehow that was never honoured.
"I had never had R40, 000 in my account back then. So I agreed, but it was a verbal agreement. There were hard lessons that I learnt in the process. And on the last day of shooting, … they called me in and gave me a R7, 000 cheque," Gabela recounted. The discrepancy between the promised amount and the actual payment left him feeling exploited and disillusioned.
"I do not know what happened, but I was only paid that amount for such a big production. They also told me to get on the bus with the crew going back to Johannesburg. Meanwhile, they flew me down [from Johannesburg]. I was told if I do not get onto that bus I was on my own," Gabela said, highlighting the lack of respect and consideration he experienced during the production.
Despite the hardships he has faced, Gabela remains committed to his craft and passionate about sharing his knowledge with aspiring actors. He is currently running film and acting workshops, using his limited resources to provide opportunities for others. "I have approached people and put forth proposals. It takes effort to explain to a businessperson why they need to invest," Gabela said, highlighting the challenges he faces in securing funding for his workshops.
