Money troubles seem to follow Umlazi born actor, Siyabonga Shibe. In March, ZiMoja reported that the actor promised four film students bursaries to study at Joburg’s prestigious film school, AFDA. He never fulfilled that promise and the students had to drop out of school while others had to apply for other bursaries to continue their studies. This time around, he allegedly hoodwinked 25 film students that he would find them jobs on TV, commercials and film if they registered with his production for acting classes.
To be part of his class at the Dream Up Productions, student paid between R 10 000 and R20 000 so that they could land major roles on TV and be featured big-name commercials. Some of the students who spoke to ZiMoja, on condition of anonymity to avoid being targeted, said they paid more than R20 000 because they were guaranteed that after completing their lessons, they would be placed by his production company.
My parents took their last money knowing that we are guaranteed jobs after completing the course,” one the student cried. The students were promised lessons in acting, TV production, directing and anything TV related.
Shibe, who plays a lead role on Mzansi Wethu telenovela, Sibongile & The Dlaminis, has allegedly disappeared into thin air with over R125 000 paid by the budding actors. “What do we tell our parents now because most of us are from disadvantaged backgrounds and we were hoping that we were going to change our lives and the lives of our families by joining his production?” one student asked.
ZiMoja can reveal that while Shibe, who started Dream Up Productions, which also includes acting classes, has never delivered a single actor to any film production and to top it all, he has never attended a single class nor has he ever attended any meetings with the students. “We have never seen him live since 2022. We were always given stories that he is busy, but he is not busy when it comes to our money,” added one student.
The students are now demanding back their money. “He is always busy to take our calls or even return them. Some of us send him messages, but he is not replying or returning any of our calls. We have been robbed our hard-earned money by someone we trusted. Our celebrity and idol doesn’t feel a pain for robbing us,” another student said. The actor refused to comment on the matter.
His manager, and daughter Nomthandazo Ngcobo said she is aware of the complaints but there is nothing she can do since her father is away shooting. “I am aware of the issue, the students have been calling me – I also told them there is nothing I can do for now since I am waiting for my dad to deal with the situation,” she said.
Source: The southafrican
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