Social media celebs not actors – Mofokeng

VETERAN actor Jerry Mofokeng has slammed the entertainment industry’s fascination with giving jobs to social media celebs, calling it a tragedy that is hurting the craft.

Mofokeng said what angered him about showbiz today was the lack of professionalism.

“You cannot compromise on professionalism. There are local productions that are fully professional, but some of these TV dramas . . . no‚ no‚ no. I had to fight hard to protect myself.”

He said the problem was that many productions cut corners because of the number of hours they have to shoot in a day and that actors were often put next to models made popular by social media.

“It is tragic. They are more interested in how people look rather than if they can deliver.

“Thousands of followers have nothing to do with ability. They are celebrities, not actors.”

Mofokeng, also a pastor and motivational speaker, said there were a number of roles he would not accept because of his beliefs.

Fortunately, he had never been asked to do anything he did not feel comfortable with.

He believed his star would never expire and had no intention of retiring soon.

“There will always be roles for old men. I will play them.

“How old was Joe Mafela? Miriam [Makeba] collapsed on stage.

“I would like to act till the end.”