13 years ago, Mzansi saw the very first episode of Rhythm City which gave many other soapies a run for their money. The storylines, the acting and the amazing cast shaped Rhythm City to being one of the top soapies in the country. As they say, numbers don't lie.
Despite being on the top 10 list of the most watched soapies in television, at the time of announcing, it still got chopped. Etv has decided to show a very thrilling display of gratitude to their cast members by sending them big fat cheques as a farewell gift.
Entertainment commentator Phil Mphela spilled the tea on his Entertainment Alert online news show. "In an unprecedented move in South African television industry, we have it on good authority, that eMedia investments, a company that owns the Etv channel will be remunerating the cast and crew of the show with some farewell bonuses," narrated Sine The Voice Artist.
"Etv confirmed that there will be money given as farewell gift to the people working on the show...The cash is not specifically a severance package but it has been worked out within the ambit of labour law."
When the show got canned in November last year, the cast members were not formally informed, which is a rather painful punch to the gut. The show was doing fairly well and were raking in the numbers but according to the channel, decommissioning the soapie is purely a business decision and part of a greater business strategy.
Managing Director at e.tv, Marlon Davids said in a statement: "E.tv continues to look forward to fulfilling its mandate of producing exceptional and relevant local content, and the production has successfully achieved its part of the obligation throughout the past 13 years. Rhythm City has secured its place in e.tv's history books, and a legacy mark has been made. We want to extend our gratitude to the entire production staff, crew, and cast for their incomparable craft."
Before making this decision, five of it's biggest actors left the show which might have caused the steady decrease in numbers. Simphiwe Mtshali who played the character of Bash. He left in 2019 after serving on the show for 10 years.
Jamie Bartlett played the mighty David Genaro and left in February 2020 after 13 years on the soapie. Jamie said he had other projects lined up. Samkelo Ndlovu played the feisty Lerato who left on good terms.
Amo Chidi played musician Rene and she resigned a week after Samkelo announced her resignation and unlike her co-stars, she gave no reasons for her departure which prompted a lot of speculation.
