Clint Brink: The TV industry has become very much non inclusive'

Clint Brink: The TV industry has become very much non inclusive'Former Backstage' actor Clint Brink says the South African television industry has failed to embrace different cultures and ethnic groups.

by Rae Seleme

27-10-2022 10:31

in Soapies

Actor Clint Brink. Image via Instagram @clinton thebrink

The former Backstage and Scandal! actor Clint Brink has criticised South African television for not embracing different cultures and ethnic groups not being inclusive.

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BACKSTAGE ( the CPT version ) was one of the very few shows that showcased our diversity by successfully integrating different cultures & languages. Since then , the TV industry has become very much non inclusive by grouping people together by ethnicity & keeping it that way.

Clint Brink (@ClintOnTheBrink) October 26, 2022

ALSO READ:Seputla Sebogodi: If you can't speak Zulu, you'll starve' [WATCH]

CLINT BRINK: BACKSTAGE SHOWCASED OUR DIVERSITY' The talented actor Clint Brink made an example of how Backstage, the Cape Town version, was one of the few shows that showcased our diversity by successfully integrating different cultures and languages.

Brink also revealed how the television industry has failed to embrace different cultures and ethnic groups, stating that art should never be about divisions, but rather about bridging the gap.

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According to Sunday World, the actor added that the divisions in the industry are supported and perpetuated in the name of Living Standards Measure [a marketing and research tool used in South Africa to classify standards of living and disposable income] by creating specific content for certain cultural groups.

Fair enough, I can completely understand the business behind these decisions and divisions, as it serves their bottom line, but the danger is it blatantly supports the perpetuation of division between races in SA, he wrote. .

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A post shared by CLINT BRINK (@clintonthebrink)

-- THE INDUSTRY DOESN'T EMBRACE DIFFERENT CULTURES' According to Sunday World, the debate about how most TV shows are packaged in IsiZulu and IsiXhosa, and not giving other languages a platform to shine began a few weeks ago.

Sepedi-speaking actor Seputla Sebogodi also shared on King David's podcast how non-Zulu-speaking actors suffer in South Africa.

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The former The River actor Seputla Sebogodi, known for his role as businessman Kenneth Mashaba in Generations also revealed in the interview that he turned down five soapies in 2022 because he was asked if he could speak Zulu.

This year I said no to five soapies or drama series. I said no. Because you ask me, you ask me, can you speak Zulu'? My brother, if you can't speak Zulu be prepared to starve. Tell me one soapie without Zulu's, I will give you a million (Rand). In South Africa, if you can't speak Zulu, you are as good as scrambled eggs. It's a big thing

IHarare reports that the actor added that if an actor/actress cannot speak Zulu in South Africa, they are likely to starve in the entertainment industry.

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Fair enough , I can complete understand the business behind these decisions & divisions as it serves their bottom line BUT the danger in it is that it BLATANTLY support the perpetuation of division between races in SA.

Clint Brink (@ClintOnTheBrink) October 26, 2022

ALSO READ:Baby on board! Actor Clint Brink and wife Steffi expecting first child

It is currently at the point where the division is supported & perpetuated under the banner of serving LSMs & creating group specific content ( product ) where each serves their own. ART was never about creating division but rather the conduit for bridging the gap.

Clint Brink (@ClintOnTheBrink) October 26, 2022

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I imagine these production houses have the demographic split of where they get the most viewership from

Perhaps having a Zulu character is strategic in acting as a gateway for Zulu audiences to engage with the show (if Zulu demographic is the highest in soapies) https://t.co/9rRAdAD8AK

monnapula (@SchachaZulu) October 23, 2022

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A post shared by CLINT BRINK (@clintonthebrink)

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LINK:	https://www.thesouthafrican.com/culture/soapies/actor-clint-brink-tele...
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