South African Guild of Actors

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
  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. Communities, Africa Business. "[South Africa] Actors Guild provides direction". Africa Business Communities (in Dutch). 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". 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. http://www.swiftsa.org.za/
  19. https://www.youtube.com/results?search_query=%23thatsnotok
  20. ipoadmin (9 December 2017). "Respectful Workplace Code of Conduct Signed -". ipo.org.za. Retrieved 17 April 2020.
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