Veteran funnyman Leon Schuster has said that he is in shock following the decision by Showmax to remove all his films from their streaming service due to them possibly being perceived as containing racially insensitive content.
Schuster told Sowetanlive that he was disappointed and in a state of confusion after MultiChoice decided to pull all his films using blackface.
He told the publication, "I'm obviously very disappointed and I don't see the reason behind it. I'm trying to find the reason and I'm battling. I try to bring people together with laughter. There is no race in my heart. I don't see black, white, pink or purple - I just see a person."
"If they are in my region when I do candid camera I go for whoever it is... I don't have preference to one race.
"... There has never been racism in any of the stuff that I've done. My heart is that of a living and loving South African."
From the blockbuster movies Mama Jack, There's a Zulu On My Stoep to Mr Bones, the comedian has portrayed many a character in blackface over the years.
There is no doubt that this decision by Showmax comes as a result of the Black Lives Matter protests sweeping across the globe in the wake of the tragic killing of Black African-American George Floyd in Minneapolis last month. Floyd died after a white police officer knelt on his neck for 8 minutes and 46 seconds during an arrest.
The films removed by Showmax include You Must Be Joking, You Must Be Joking Too, Oh Schucks ... It’s Schuster, Sweet ‘n Short, Schuks! Pay Back the Money, and Frank and Fearless.
The SABC is said to be considering a similar move while Netflix has indicated that they will also be looking at pulling content featuring racist stereotypes.
The move by Showmax has received a mixed reaction on social media.
