Unions chart a path to ensure South African actors enjoy protection of labour laws

THE South African Guild of Actors (SAGA) recently held a conference with its sister union from the United States, the Screen Actors’ Guild-American Federation of Television and Radio Artists (SAG-AFTRA); and the Congress of South African Trade Unions (Cosatu) and the National Union of Metal Workers to chart a path to ensure that South African actors and performers, like all other workers, can enjoy the full protection of our labour laws.

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SAGA has been relentless in championing the rights of these vulnerable workers and shining an important spotlight on a sector whose dark side all too often goes unreported.

The film industry is a major source of domestic and international investment, something our economy struggling with 1% annual growth for the past decade plus desperately needs.

It’s a chance to showcase South Africa’s attractions to the world, from Table Mountain and Robben Island to the Cape vineyards and to Kruger Park in the north, and thus boost our tourism sector, another major source of revenue and jobs.

Our domestic film industry has been a boon for promoting local languages, sporting talents and young budding actors, many of whom have later gone on to conquer Hollywood.

Besides the jobs they bring for actors, they have helped nurture a local value chain with some of the world's most talented film crew. Cape Town and Joburg have become favourite destinations to film commercials from countries as far away as Europe.

These jobs are welcome, more so with our 42.9% unemployment rate.

Whilst our actors and performers have become household names and are correctly celebrated for their talents, all too often we have seen their careers end in tragedy.

Shaleen Surtie-Richards passed away whilst battling to afford medical care despite being one of South Africa's most celebrated actors. Olivia Jackson, a renowned stunt woman, lost her arm whilst shooting a scene for a movie. Odwa Sheni died in an accident whilst filming on set.

These are some of the painful tragedies actors have faced whilst working to entertain the nation and take care of their families.