The South African Guild of Actors is a representative body in South Africa that advocates for the interests of South African actors in the performing arts industry.[1]
As freelance actors in South Africa are precluded from unionising SAGA established itself as a voluntary association with a labour partner UASA, through whom it was represented within the Federation of Trade Unions FEDUSA. Since 2018 the Guild had been advocating for basic labour rights, motivating for a sectoral determination to be introduced into the Labour Relations Act.[2] By 2023 SAGA's continued advocacy for legislative reform revealed that its interests were no longer aligned with those of UASA, which remains purely a labour union. A strategic realignment saw SAGA sever ties with its labour partner from 31 October 2023.
SAGA is a founder member of the Theatre and Dance Alliance TADA and a member of the South African Screen Federation SASFED.[3] It is affiliated to the major actors' guilds and unions across the globe through its membership of the International Federation of Actors (FIA).[4]
On 13 September 2018, SAGA made a presentation to the Portfolio Committee on Trade and Industry in the Parliament of South Africa in support of the Performers Protection Amendment Bill (2016).[5] The previous year, on 4 August 2017, SAGA appealed to the Portfolio Committee on Trade and Industry against aspects of the proposed legislative review[6] of the Copyright (Amendment) Bill 2014.[7] Various other organisations, including The South African Freelancer's Association also stood in solidarity with this appeal.[8]
In October 2013 the cast of South Africa’s longest-running soap Generations entered a protracted contractual dispute [9] with the public broadcaster, the SABC. When 16 cast members embarked on a so-called 'strike' barely a year later, the producer and broadcaster announced an indefinite hiatus in production.[10] The cast were being advised by the defunct[11] trade union CWUSA,[12] while SAGA warned that the actors could be held in breach of contract[13] as they were not protected by the Labour Laws. Ultimately the group of actors had their contracts terminated[14] and the show was cancelled.[15]
When South African television drama High Rollers[16] was abruptly cancelled in 2016, SAGA voiced concern over South African producers' willingness to cancel production contracts before expiration.[17]
When an actor fell to his death on 12 May 2018 while on a film set in the Drakensberg mountains in South Africa's KwaZulu-Natal province, SAGA initiated an investigation in collaboration with City Press.[18]
SAGA has been vocal about the international issue around Sexual Harassment in the Entertainment Industry. The SWIFT (Sisters Working in Film and Television)[19] campaign #ThatsNotOK [20] highlighting the plight of harassment has been endorsed and supported by SAGA. The collaboration of both organisations has brought about a Code of Conduct to be adopted by all industry professionals as well as addendum suggested for all actors and industry practitioners to sign in their contracts.[21]
References
edit- ^ "SA Guild of Actors | A powerful, unified voice for actors rights". www.saguildofactors.org.za. Retrieved 15 August 2017.
- ^ "The Labour Relations Act 66 of 1995" (PDF). saflii.org. The Southern African Legal Information Institute (SAFLII). 27 November 2018. Retrieved 10 August 2024.
- ^ "SAGA WORKSHOP". www.sasfed.org. Retrieved 16 May 2018.
- ^ "Actors plug in to global developments as SAGA hosts a high-level International delegation - The Callsheet". The Callsheet. 20 October 2016. Retrieved 16 May 2018.
- ^ "Performers' Protection Amendment Bill B24-2016 | South African Government". www.gov.za. Retrieved 19 September 2018.
- ^ "[South Africa] Actors Guild provides direction". Africa Business Communities. Retrieved 21 May 2018.
- ^ Studios, Nkosana & Tshepiso for FGX. "Artslink.co.za - Actors Guild takes to the Main Stage". Artslink. Retrieved 22 August 2017.
- ^ "SAFREA supports ANFASA and SAGA on issues in the new Copyright Amendment Bill". Retrieved 22 August 2017.
- ^ Laing, Aislinn (18 October 2013). "South Africa soap stars on strike over contract dispute". Daily Telegraph. ISSN 0307-1235. Retrieved 22 May 2018.
- ^ Vourlias, Christopher (7 October 2014). "South Africa Pubcaster Suspends Popular Serial". Variety. Retrieved 22 May 2018.
- ^ Sidimba, Loyiso (24 August 2014). "Soapie stars' union not registered". Sunday Independent. Retrieved 29 July 2019.
- ^ "Unions involved in Generations actors' plea". Retrieved 22 May 2018.
- ^ "Generations: Official Statement From The South African Guild of Actors (SAGA) - The Callsheet". The Callsheet. 21 August 2014. Retrieved 22 May 2018.
- ^ Marshall, Rhodé. "Striking Generations cast members sacked". The M&G Online. Retrieved 22 May 2018.
- ^ Sethusa, Pheladi. "Generations CCMA appeal falls flat". The Citizen. Retrieved 22 May 2018.
- ^ "SABC3 cancels High Rollers". Channel. Retrieved 21 May 2018.
- ^ "Could High Rollers possibly find a new home? | Channel24". m.channel24.co.za. Retrieved 22 August 2017.
- ^ "What killed Odwa Shweni?". CityPress. Retrieved 16 May 2018.
- ^ "Sisters in Film – SWIFT Sisters Working in Film and Television". Swiftsa.org.za. Retrieved 19 November 2021.
- ^ #thatsnotok YouTube
- ^ ipoadmin (9 December 2017). "Respectful Workplace Code of Conduct Signed -". ipo.org.za. Retrieved 17 April 2020.