Rosie Motene: Levels of GBV in TV and film industry ‘unacceptable’
Veteran actress Rosie Motene has called on South Africans to rally behind survivors of gender-based violence in the film and TV industry.
Over the weekend, BET Africa canceled an interview with comedian Mongezi 'Tol Ass Mo' Mahlangu and his wife Mome on ‘Behind the Story with Pearl Thusi’ after outrage on social media.
Mahlangu has been accused of rape by model Lerato Moloi.
Motene has joined many South Africans in slamming the channel for interviewing a man accused of rape.
ALSO READ: WATCH: Firefighters battle blaze at iconic Durban mosque
Speaking live on Facebook on Monday, Motene said the industry makes it hard for survivors to speak out.
"They make actors sign non-disclosure agreements and when they speak about the abuse they experience on set they can be sued. And we know in our industry we don't make a lot of money so the reality of us having to face any legal proceedings cost us money."
Motene said she is also a survivor of sexual harassment in the industry.
"What happened to me within the TV industry was unacceptable. But what worried me was that myself, as a veteran actress who has been in the industry for over 25 years, what they were trying to do by intimidating me, gaslighting me and undermine me.
“If they were doing that to me who is known as an activist who speaks out for women's right, it means they are doing it to young actresses who are still learning and want to please."
