Veteran South African actor Glen Gabela has opened up about his heartbreaking struggles following his departure from the popular television show Uzalo. In a candid interview on The Voice With Palesa podcast, Gabela accused the show’s production company, Stained Glass, of destroying his life after abruptly terminating his contract.
Gabela, who was one of the original cast members, played the role of Pastor Mdletshe when Uzalo first aired. He shared that he was personally headhunted for the role and assured it was a permanent position. Unfortunately, his time on the show came to an unexpected end at the conclusion of Season 4.
According to Gabela, he was called into the office and informed that his contract would not be renewed. The sudden termination sent his life spiraling out of control. “When they breached that contract, my life went down. My bank froze all my accounts. My car was repossessed, and my apartment in Emdloti was locked,” he revealed.
The financial devastation deeply impacted Gabela’s personal life, especially his relationship with his daughter. “I used to send money for my daughter’s upkeep. But her mother, who I was divorced from, said she would raise her by herself after I lost the contract. I don’t know what poison she fed her, but to this day, my daughter doesn’t want to see me,” he shared with visible pain. Gabela said the most painful part is that his ex-wife passed away before they could fix the broken family ties, leaving him estranged from his daughter, whom he last saw in 2018.
Gabela further revealed that he now survives on government social grants, a far cry from his acting days. The hardships he faces today stand in stark contrast to his earlier successes, including his iconic role as Shaka Zulu in 1988, where he followed legendary actor Henry Cele.
However, Gabela’s acting career was marred by similar challenges even in the past. Speaking about his role in Shaka Zulu, he disclosed that he was promised a payment of R40,000, a significant sum at the time. Unfortunately, the agreement was verbal, and when the production wrapped up, he was given only a R7,000 cheque. “I do not know what happened, but that’s all I was paid for such a huge production,” Gabela recalled. Adding to the insult, he was forced to return to Johannesburg by bus with the rest of the crew, despite being flown in initially. “I was told if I don’t get on that bus, I’m on my own.”
Despite these challenges, Glen Gabela remains passionate about the film industry. He currently runs acting and film workshops to empower aspiring actors. However, he struggles with funding and relies on the little resources he can gather. “I have approached people and submitted proposals. It takes a lot of effort to explain to a businessperson why they should invest,” he explained.
Gabela’s story reflects the harsh realities many veteran actors face in the entertainment industry. Despite years of contribution, many are left struggling with little support. His brave decision to speak out has sparked conversations around how artists are treated, raising awareness about the need for better protection and respect for talent in South Africa’s entertainment space.