This week began with the news that Pearl Thusi had been announced as the roast master for the Comedy Central Roast of AKA. While plenty of people congratulated her, many others were extremely annoyed at the fact that Pearl had landed yet another gig.
South Africa is literally so hilarious, your presenters, are also your biggest actors, are also your biggest models, are also your biggest mainstream musicians, are also your lifestyle influencers.
— wndrkd (@WhyMwanji) January 27, 2019
Lmao I’m sick.
This tweet, and many others like it, went on to spark a massive reaction from the likes of Lerato Kganyago, Pearl Thusi, Thando Thabethe and more. And thus, the debate came back to life.
Rihanna sings, gets endorsements, starts acting! Mzansi: “YAS QUEEN”. Beyoncé sings, gets endorsements, starts acting, Mzansi: “YAS QUEEN TAKE THEM ALL”! South African artist starts singing, gets a role in a movie, and bags huge endorsement. MZANSI: “Open up the Industry” 😶🤷🏽♀️
— leratokganyago (@leratokganyago) January 27, 2019
I will be damned before I’m told to open up the industry!!! Open it up for yourself like all of us did!!! To this day...I audition!!! I’ve worked very hard to get where I am...and I’m only just getting started
— Thando Thabooty (@Thando_Thabethe) January 29, 2019
When we first saw the hashtag emerge, circa 2016/17, it was met with a great deal of support and sympathy, as talented youngsters complained about finding themselves on the fringes of the entertainment industry.
However, as time as progressed, this sympathy has begun to dry out and a number of notable names (such as the ones above) pointed out the hypocrisy of the hashtag. But that has only served to increase the backlash and this reached a fore on Wednesday.
Here are a few people who still believe the industry needs to be opened up:
When our celebrities say they worked hard to get to where they are, is the insinuation that those who aren't being given a chance are not working as hard to also get a break like they did? Ithini into? #OpenUpTheIndustry
— Asanda 👑 (@_Genu) January 30, 2019
...All anyone needs is a chance to prove themselves and, sadly, some never even get that ♥️🙏🏽 !!! #OpenUpTheIndustry
— Thembisa Mdoda (@tembisa) January 30, 2019
My 2c worth on #OpenUpTheIndustry
— BrownSugar 🇿🇦 (@UrsulaChikane) January 30, 2019
If I were a newcomer in the biz under its current guise, I wouldn't stand a chance. The game and it's influential players has changed so much that, even with this work and discipline ethic, I wouldn't know which door to knock on/kick in.
#OpenUpTheIndustry Stop giving IT GIRLS acting gigs just because they have a social media presence, there are student who go to AFDA and pay large fees to learn the craft and dont get opportunities because it goes to LKG and co who cant act.
— Alexandre Sadiki (@AlexSadiki_02) January 30, 2019
And when y’all finally #OpenUpTheIndustry please open it up to dark skinned women as well.
— Nonhle Beryl (@NonhleBeryl) January 30, 2019
Or is there a reason why the majority of the South African female entertainers are light-skinned?
Angilwi.
But this time, there were a lot of critics who thought that those who demanded the industry open up were being entitled.
Open the industry YOURSELF!!! I did it!! #OpenUpTheIndustry
— Lasizwe (@lasizwe) January 30, 2019
Issue is , many of you think talent is enough! #OpenUpTheIndustry
— Siv Ngesi (@iamSivN) January 30, 2019
Everyone who is calling on this #OpenUpTheIndustry movement is so lost I think.. Especially with the internet around.. If they aren't hiring you, create the job... you wanna be on radio, start with a podcast at home.. wanna be on tv get a YouTube Channel...
— Andile Kunene (@AndileKunene) January 30, 2019
This is why at this point I personally find the whole #OpenUpTheIndustry debate redundant now because it is not coming from a factual standpoint but just assumptions.
— Phil Mphela (@PhilMphela) January 30, 2019
We don’t need new faces, we have new faces and you are just ignoring them.
We need MONEY! Period.
Which side of #OpenUpTheIndustry do you sit on?
Main image credit: Instagram/@thando_thabethe