Actor Glen Gabela Blames ‘Uzalo’ for Career Setback, Reveals How His Life Was Ruined After Being Fired
Veteran actor Glen Gabela, who rose to fame for his role as Pastor Mdletshe on Uzalo, has recently opened up about the devastating impact the show had on his life.
In a candid interview on The Voice With Palesa podcast, Gabela shared heartbreaking details of how his life took a dramatic turn after he was unexpectedly fired from the show.
Also Read: Wiseman Mncube Bids Farewell to ‘Uzalo’ After Six Years
A Promising Career Cut Short
Gabela, who played the pivotal role of Pastor Mdletshe when Uzalo first aired, was reportedly told that his position was permanent. However, at the end of Season 4, he was informed that his contract would be terminated, a decision that Gabela claims destroyed his career.
“When they breached that contract, my life went down. My bank froze all of my accounts. My car was repossessed, and my apartment in Emdloti was locked. I used to send money for the upkeep of my daughter. But her mother, whom I was divorced from when I lost the contract, said she would raise her by herself. I do not know what poison she fed her, but to this day my daughter does not want to see me,” Gabela shared.
Life on a Government Grant
Since being let go from Uzalo, Gabela revealed that he has been surviving on a government social grant. His life has been marked by a series of unfortunate events, including the loss of his family and his financial stability.
Tragically, Gabela also mentioned that he has not seen his 22-year-old daughter since 2018, after he lost his job on the soap opera. He expressed deep sorrow over the unresolved rift between him and his daughter, particularly after her mother passed away.
Disappointing Pay in Past Roles
Gabela also opened up about his experience on the 1988 Shaka Zulu production, where he played the role of Shaka, a role previously portrayed by Henry Cele. Despite being promised R40,000 for the role, Gabela was only given a R7,000 cheque on the last day of shooting.
“I had never had R40,000 in my account back then. So I agreed, but it was a verbal agreement. There were hard lessons that I learnt in the process,” he recalled.
“On the last day of shooting, they called me in and gave me a R7,000 cheque. I do not know what happened, but I was only paid that amount for such a big production.”
Current Struggles and Resilience
Although Gabela’s career took a hit, he has not given up on his passion for acting. He is currently running film and acting workshops, though he faces significant challenges due to a lack of funding. Gabela explained that he often uses limited resources for these workshops, relying on whatever little support he receives. He also revealed that he has made several attempts to seek funding for his initiatives.
“I have approached people and put forth proposals. It takes effort to explain to a businessperson why they need to invest,” he said.