Generations (South African TV series)
| Generations: The Legacy | |
|---|---|
 Old title card | |
| Genre | Soap opera |
| Created by | Mfundi Vundla |
| Starring |
|
| Theme music composer | Jonas Gwangwa, Claude Gombard |
| Country of origin | South Africa |
| Original language(s) | Multilingual (subtitles included) |
| No. of episodes | 158 (as of 26 December 2015) |
| Production | |
| Producer(s) | Mfundi Vundla |
| Distributor | Morula Pictures |
| Release | |
| Original network | SABC1 |
| Picture format | 480i (SDTV) |
| Original release | 4 February 1994(Generation), 1 December 2014(Generation: The Legacy) – 30 September 2014(Generations) (Generation: The Legacy) present |
| Chronology | |
| Related shows | Generations |
| External links | |
| Website | |
Generations is a South African soap opera which first premiered on SABC 1 in 1994. It was created and is produced by Mfundi Vundla and airs weekdays at 20h00 on SABC 1.It had a Stellar cast when it returned in December 2014 it starred Connie Ferguson and Rapulane seiphemo as the main protagonist and it also starred Musa Ngema and Asanda foij as The Secondary Protagonist, Manaka Ranaka and Vuyo Dabula starred as the main antagonist as well as Letoya makhane- and Ronnie Nyakale star as the antagonist
Set against the backdrop of the advertising industry, this drama celebrates the hopes and dreams of South Africans who aspire to a better future.
The show has received positive reviews throughout its run. Production of the series stopped on 11 August 2014 when 16 principal actors started withholding their services following wage disputes, a cut of R500 million in royalties and three-year extended contracts.
In August 2014, the cast of the popular United States CBS sitcom, The Big Bang Theory were also on strike. The cast managed to negotiate a 1 million dollar pay per episode for three years plus more back end money and production deals. The cast of the CBS sitcom had previously been earning R350 000 an episode. The cast of the popular NBC sitcom Friends also managed to negotiate a 1 Million pay per episode during their 10th and final season. So this says a lot about South Africa's television industry.
From 30 September 2014 to 30 November 2014, the series was put on hiatus, following the dispute with 16 actors, who were fired from the show on 18 August 2014 after a week-long strike. Some of the 16 actors include Menzi Ngubane, Sophie Ndaba, Anga Makubalo, Mandla Gaduka, Katlego Danke and Thato Molamu.
Fans were urged not to watch the show in support of the 16 actors. The SA audience research foundation confirmed that instead viewership increased from the usual 7 million to 10 million viewers a night prior to the announcement of the subsequent sacking.
The soap made a return on 1 December 2014 under a new name, Generations: The Legacy, without the old cast members. The show received generally negative reviews from the public in its first week of airing, but the viewers warmed to the revamped show in the next couple of weeks following its return.
Since July 2015, it was announced that Denise Zimba (Mary) will depart the show and has exited in October 2015. it has since been announced that Asanda Foji (Simphiwe), Vuyo Dabula (Gadaffi), Mutodi Neshehe (Zola), J.T Medupe (Jonathan), Lebogang mthunzi (Angela) and her on screen boyfriend Kabelo Moalusi (Siya) are on their way to departure as well.
Since August 2015 Various sources have confirmed that former villain Jack Mabaso (Real name Vusi Kunene) is well on his way back to reprise his role.
Plot
The backdrop of Generations is the advertising industry, with a storyline that celebrates the dreams and aspirations of South Africans. As in all soaps - rivalry, treachery and blackmail between siblings and friends and foes alike make Generations one of the most forceful dramas South Africa has ever produced. Suspense, intrigue and tension are the order of the day as the plot unfolds and romance influences relationships between warring parties. Its just the reality of the present generation's lifestyle, where conflicts are ubiquitous and endless.With themes of witchcraft and magic it includes African influences.
Ratings and other news
The previous Generations was the most viewed soapie on South Africa television throughout its run, with over 7 million viewers. However, after being rebranded as Generations: The Legacy, ratings dropped to 3 million viewers. However, after a few weeks back on air the viewership improved once again with the show occupying 60.2% of the market share during the 20:00 timeslot.
Generations is the first TV series in South Africa to partner with real cooperations and companies to advertise their products and services on the TV series. This was done in a manner where these partners were included in some part of the scripts. This has already happen with three South African companies i.e. Pep Stores, Capitec Bank and Smart Gym.
Controversy
In 2008, the show's producer Mfundi Vundla snubbed the South African Film and Television Awards (SAFTA) by rejecting any nomination for the soapie and its dazzling stars. Vundla has apparently taken the fight back to SAFTA, who had snubbed him by not having a single winner from Generations the previous year despite the fact that it was, in his opinion, the best soapie on local television and allegedly boasts some of the best actors in the country.
In a letter addressed to his staff, Vundla reportedly requested that they do not attend the awards function "to avoid creating the impression that Generations in any way supports SAFTA..." Vundla also criticised the judging procedure for not being properly administered or transparent and said politics influenced the adjudication process. Vundla complained that certain nominations were "inaccurate or simply absurd".
Music
The show has had changes in the opening sequence, most notably the change in the title music of the show. The 2007 change from the original Jonas Gwangwa composition, followed by Mandla "Spikiri" Mofokeng's theme music. Before the introduction of Generations: The Legacy, the title music was by Trevor Jones. The theme song for Generations: The Legacy was composed by Jonas Gwangwa and Claude Gombard (stage-name Claude King). It was recorded and mixed by Claude Gombard at his Claude King Media Productions recording studio in Johannesburg, during the month of November, 2014. Jonas Gwangwa is featured on trombone and Claude Gombard on guitar, in the piece, which is titled Nomakanjani (meaning "anything and everything").
International broadcast
Generations is currently airing in Jamaica on Television Jamaica (TVJ) which is four years behind in episodes. Four episodes are aired on Sundays back to back at 2:00pm local time and repeated on Mondays, Tuesdays, Wednesdays and Fridays at 5:30am and 12:30pm local time (one episode for each day).[3]
Cast
Current Cast
| Actor | Role |
|---|---|
| Connie Ferguson | Karabo Moroka |
| Rapulana Seiphemo | Mziwoxolo "Tau" Mogale |
| Vusi Kunene | Jack Mabaso |
| Letoya Makhene | Matshidiso "Tshidi" Mogale-Phakade |
| Manaka Ranaka | Lucy Diale |
| Ronnie Nyakale | Thembinkosi "Cosmo" Diale |
| Musa Ngema | Mazwi Moroka |
| Vuyo Dabula | Kumkani "Gadaffi" Phakade |
| Thulisile Phongolo | Namhla Diale |
| Thando Thabethe | Nolwazi Buzo |
| Moopi Mothibeli | Smanga Moroka |
| Lebohang Mthunzi | Angela Mogale |
| Thabo Fatyela | Ntobeko "Dion" Mabaso |
| Chiedza Mhende | Wandile Radebe |
| Andisiwe Dweba | Gertrude "Getty" Diale |
Former Cast
| Actor | Role |
|---|---|
| Denise Zimba | Mary Gumede |
| Asanda Foji | Simphiwe Ngobese-Moroka |
| JT Medupi | Jonathan Motene |
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