For Kagiso Modupe, the collapse of one of his most important professional relationships has opened the door to what he hopes will be an entirely new chapter.
The actor, director and producer is now moving forward with Modupe Studios, a production company that represents a creative rebrand and a deliberate step away from Bakwena Productions – the company he built alongside his longtime friend and business partner Rashaka Muofhe.
The move comes after a turbulent year surrounding their production of the SABC2 telenovela Pimville, which was eventually pulled from the broadcaster’s schedule amid contractual and legal disputes.
From friendship to business partners
Modupe and Rashaka Muofhe were not simply colleagues. Their relationship was built on friendship and a shared ambition to create opportunities within South Africa’s television and film industry.
Through Bakwena Productions, they worked on projects including Losing Lerato, Pound 4 Pound and, most recently, Pimville. Modupe was closely associated with the creative side of the business, while Muofhe was involved in the company’s production and executive operations.
But the relationship reportedly became strained well before the Pimville crisis exploded publicly.
In April, the two were no longer on speaking terms, with sources pointing to disagreements over financial management. Muofhe denied that there was a rift and said they continued to work together. Modupe, however, indicated that he was moving towards a new direction.
Then came the Pimville storm
Pimville, created by Brenda Mukwevho and produced by Bakwena Productions, was meant to become a major new addition to SABC2’s schedule.
Modupe served as the show’s head director after initially being involved as an executive producer. He later said that his responsibilities changed once contracts were signed and that he was removed from the executive producer role.
As complaints about unpaid actors, crew members and suppliers emerged, Modupe publicly distanced himself from the financial administration of the production.
He said he had raised concerns internally when payments started going wrong, but claimed he was told to “stay in my lane”. He also said he escalated his concerns to the SABC and supported the introduction of a supervising producer.
The SABC subsequently confirmed that it had fulfilled its contractual payment obligations to Bakwena Productions and said the production company was in breach of its contract.
The broadcaster later pulled Pimville after 75 episodes, confirming that legal proceedings were under way and that a notice of breach had been issued to Bakwena Productions in April 2026.
Modupe’s new beginning
Against that backdrop, Modupe began working on the transformation of Bakwena Productions into what is now Modupe Studios.
He had already revealed that the rebrand had been in the works for about a year, but the Pimville controversy brought the move into sharper focus.
“I have detached from Bakwena Media Group, and I’m rebranding Bakwena Productions to Modupe Studios,” Modupe said, describing the new company as an opportunity to bring innovation into the industry.
He also made it clear that his vision goes beyond simply changing a company name.
“I’ll be bringing in an innovation that’s going to contribute positively to the industry and contribute to the producers, the actors and the crew, making sure that people get paid what they are worth.”
That message has become particularly significant given the controversy surrounding Pimville and the allegations of outstanding payments.
A messy legal chapter
The Pimville saga is not the only legal cloud surrounding Bakwena.
Earlier reports also linked Modupe and Muofhe to a separate dispute involving a reported R4.2 million loan from Mandla N’s Black Brain Pictures to Bakwena Production Media Group.
According to reports based on court papers, the money was advanced in two portions – R2 million followed by R2.2 million – with repayment subsequently becoming the subject of a legal dispute.
The financial disputes have added another layer to what was once a seemingly successful partnership between friends.
For Modupe, however, the focus now appears to be on separating the creative future he wants from the battles surrounding his former business structure.
A fresh studio, a different promise
Modupe has stressed that his role in Pimville was creative rather than financial, saying he was responsible for directing the show and delivering its creative product, not managing its finances.
He has also expressed solidarity with the actors, crew and suppliers affected by the payment crisis.
“People need to be paid for the hard work that they have put in. For their talents,” he said.
Now, with Modupe Studios, he is attempting to turn a difficult chapter into a reset.
The new studio is being positioned around premium African storytelling, creative excellence and stronger opportunities for people working behind and in front of the camera.
