New ’Generations’ fails to impress
‘Legacy’ not a patch on original for Bay fans
BORING, an ‘80s-style drama and a school sketch were some of the terms used to describe Generations: The Legacy which aired on SABC on Monday. The show – aired to replace popular soap opera Generations which was pulled in September – has been met with scorn by Nelson Mandela Bay residents.
Generations was canned after a slew of the show’s stars were axed following a wage dispute.
Several actors from the Eastern Cape – including Anga Makubalo (MJ Dlomo), Nambitha Mpumlwana (Mawande Memela), Zolisa Xaluva (Jason Malinga) and Zikhona Sodlaka (Priska Nomvete) – were given the boot when MMSV Productions terminated their contracts.
The SABC 1 show had seen South Africans glued to their screens for 21 years, and the replacement left viewers less than impressed.
The new show started with the unveiling of a gravestone, that of former character Paul Moroka.
Karabo Moroka (Connie Ferguson) and Tau Mogale (Seiphemo Rapulana), characters who years ago were part of Generations, were reintroduced and stood watching as the stone was unveiled.
Immediately social networks started buzzing as people voiced their anger. Pumele Biana, 33, of New Brighton, said: “We waited for something better . . . It felt more like one was watching an ’80s drama. Producer Mfundi Vundla must up his game as he lost good actors.”
Fans also said they were confused by the gravestone scene as the character had died years ago.
Funeka Meva, 39, from Missionvale, said she had to change the channel before the show ended.
“It was very boring. Skeem Saam [the show that replaced Generations when it was axed] was much better than this nonsense I was watching on Monday night. It was like I was watching Ekasi stories.”
Lihle Mzolo, 14, of Forest Hill, said he chose to watch the cartoons because Generations: The Legacy was very boring.
“They should bring back Sbu [Menzi Ngubane]. Some of us don’t know who this Paul Moroka is and we are not even interested.”
Pumza Mabija, 26, from Kwazakhele, however, believes people should give the show some time.
“It was a bit confusing . . . I am sure with time people will get used to it,” she said.
Comedian Tsepiso Nzayo said it was still too early to tell but “I am sure [it] will be interesting because it has a name and a surname, Generations: The Legacy.”