Actors have expressed how they deserve to be paid for show repeats and receive royalties as per global standards.
This comes after Mzansi Magic recently ran a poll asking viewers which TV shows they would like to see being repeated as a throwback special to mark their 15 years in existence.
In a wave of support through public votes, fans selected their favourite telenovela Isibaya as their number one choice with 23.2%, The River was at 15.5%, and The Queen at 12.8%.
This means the telenovela will once more air on weekdays from Monday, September 22, at 18.30pm.
Shirley Adonisi, Director of Local Entertainment Channels at M-Net said: “Isibaya was more than just a TV show. It was a cultural phenomenon that had its finger on the pulse of Mzansi local television.”
Isibaya has been on air since March 18 2013 and ran for eight seasons until April 2 2021.
Raising concerns
The show repeats have since sparked a burning issue among filmmakers and creatives in South Africa.
They share their concerns about broadcasters repeating shows and not compensating crew and cast. They have expressed their dissatisfaction with seeing their faces on television without any form of remuneration.
Weighing in on the issue, Entertainment News commentator Phil Mphela said the issue of show repeats has been long-standing.
“This is not unique, Mzansi Magic; other channels do it too, but it does not make it right,” he said.
“The real issue here is deeper than just show repeats,” he added.
“It is about the South African government not protecting the industry. They are willing to tax them despite them not receiving the same benefits as other taxpayers,” he said.
“Why is the government not giving creatives the same labour protection they offer other industries? So they don’t have issues like these coming up?”
Performers’ Protection Bill
The Copyright & Performers’ Protection Amendment remitted Bills have been referred to the Constitution Court by President Cyril Ramaphosa.
This bill allows creatives in the film industry to receive benefits such as healthcare, UIF, and royalties on productions.
The South African Guild of Actors (SAGA) recently stated that the film creative industry has operated under a system that has denied them basic worker rights.
For decades, the lack of regulation in the South African creative industry has been marketed as a cost-saving “benefit”.
Actor and SAGA chairman Jack Devnarain told Sunday World that their organisation is delighted at the new development. One that the Copyright & Performers’ Protection Amendment Bill has moved to the High Court.
”Fikile Mbalula at the time and [Minister Gayton] McKenzie refused to sign the bill because they knew actor royalties are included,” Devnarain said.
“Repeating shows is a cheap way for the broadcaster to provide content while escaping their moral duty to bring an income to the actors. It secures the system of inequality,” he concluded.
