South African Guild of Actors

From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

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]

SAGA has a labour partner UASA, through whom it is represented within the Federation of Trade Unions FEDUSA. It is a member of the South African Screen Federation SASFED[2] and is affiliated with the International Federation of Actors (FIA).[3]

On 13 September 2018, 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).[4] The previous year, on 4 August 2017, SAGA appealed to the Portfolio Committee on Trade and Industry against aspects of the proposed legislative review[5] of the Copyright (Amendment) Bill 2014.[6] Various other organisations, including The South African Freelancer's Organisation also stood in solidarity with this appeal.[7]

In October 2013 the cast of South Africa’s longest-running soap Generations entered a protracted contractual dispute [8] 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.[9] The cast were being advised by the defunct[10] trade union CWUSA,[11] while SAGA warned that the actors could be held in breach of contract[12] as they were not protected by the Labour Laws. Ultimately the group of actors had their contracts terminated[13] and the show was cancelled.[14]

When South African television drama High Rollers[15] was abruptly cancelled in 2016, SAGA voiced concern over South African producers' willingness to cancel production contracts before expiration.[16]

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.[17]

SAGA has been vocal about the international issue around Sexual Harassment in the Entertainment Industry. The SWIFT (Sisters Working in Film and Television)[18] campaign #ThatsNotOK [19] 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.[20]

References[edit]

  1. ^ "SA Guild of Actors | A powerful, unified voice for actors rights". www.saguildofactors.org.za. Retrieved 15 August 2017.
  2. ^ "SAGA WORKSHOP". www.sasfed.org. Retrieved 16 May 2018.
  3. ^ "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.
  4. ^ "Performers' Protection Amendment Bill B24-2016 | South African Government". www.gov.za. Retrieved 19 September 2018.
  5. ^ "[South Africa] Actors Guild provides direction". Africa Business Communities. Retrieved 21 May 2018.
  6. ^ Studios, Nkosana & Tshepiso for FGX. "Artslink.co.za - Actors Guild takes to the Main Stage". Artslink. Retrieved 22 August 2017.
  7. ^ "SAFREA supports ANFASA and SAGA on issues in the new Copyright Amendment Bill". Retrieved 22 August 2017.
  8. ^ Laing, Aislinn (18 October 2013). "South Africa soap stars on strike over contract dispute". Daily Telegraph. ISSN 0307-1235. Retrieved 22 May 2018.
  9. ^ Vourlias, Christopher (7 October 2014). "South Africa Pubcaster Suspends Popular Serial". Variety. Retrieved 22 May 2018.
  10. ^ Sidimba, Loyiso (24 August 2014). "Soapie stars' union not registered". Sunday Independent. Retrieved 29 July 2019.
  11. ^ "Unions involved in Generations actors' plea". Retrieved 22 May 2018.
  12. ^ "Generations: Official Statement From The South African Guild of Actors (SAGA) - The Callsheet". The Callsheet. 21 August 2014. Retrieved 22 May 2018.
  13. ^ Marshall, Rhodé. "Striking Generations cast members sacked". The M&G Online. Retrieved 22 May 2018.
  14. ^ Sethusa, Pheladi. "Generations CCMA appeal falls flat". The Citizen. Retrieved 22 May 2018.
  15. ^ "SABC3 cancels High Rollers". Channel. Retrieved 21 May 2018.
  16. ^ "Could High Rollers possibly find a new home? | Channel24". m.channel24.co.za. Retrieved 22 August 2017.
  17. ^ "What killed Odwa Shweni?". CityPress. Retrieved 16 May 2018.
  18. ^ "Sisters in Film – SWIFT Sisters Working in Film and Television". Swiftsa.org.za. Retrieved 19 November 2021.
  19. ^ #thatsnotok YouTube
  20. ^ ipoadmin (9 December 2017). "Respectful Workplace Code of Conduct Signed -". ipo.org.za. Retrieved 17 April 2020.