Question NW644 to the Minister of Communications and Digital Technologies
22 March 2024 - NW644
Tambo, Mr S to ask the Minister of Communications and Digital Technologies
Whether, with reference to reports that the SA Broadcasting Corporation intends to amend the existing agreements around retransmission payments and/or royalties so drastically that actors and actresses will earn much less for the broadcasting of content they featured on, and at a later stage actors and actresses might earn nothing, there was any consultation with industry representatives and stakeholders regarding such a resolution that will condemn actors and actresses whose content and talent is reused to poverty; if not, what is the position in this regard; if so, what are the relevant details?
Reply:
I have been informed by the SABC as follows:
The SABC is in the process of amending the current repeat fee strategy. This process has not been finalised as consultations with all relevant and key stakeholders are ongoing.
The proposed amendments to the current strategy have been approved by the SABC Board in 2018. In its current form, this strategy is unsustainable as payments have been structured in such a way that they are implemented for an indefinite period.
The strategy was introduced in 1996 by the Performers Artists Workers Union (PAWE). The union was established with the aim of engaging the new SABC dispensation to redress the struggles encountered by black actors under the Apartheid regime for not receiving equitable treatment as their white counterparts from mainly white-owned production companies.
In 1997 the SABC’s Department of Programme Policy, Planning and Co-Production agreed with PAWE that content production houses commissioned by the SABC be required to use a Standard Performers’ Agreement when performers entered into contracts. This came into effect on 1 September 1997.
At the time the SABC was the sole commissioner and producer of local content and agreed to a Standard Performers’ Agreement that contained two clauses namely: Clause 5 on repeat fees payable to Principal Performers of drama productions and Clause 7 on exploitation fees payable to Principal Performers on the licensing of commissioned productions.
Twenty-eight (28) years later there is a requirement that the strategy be aligned to the SABC’s various financial and legislative requirements. It must be stressed that intention behind the new proposal is not to disempower performers but to ensure that all parties benefit.
Authorised for submission by
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MS. NONKQUBELA JORDAN-DYANI DIRECTOR-GENERAL
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Recommended/not recommended
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HON. PHILLY MAPULANE, MP
DEPUTY MINISTER OF COMMUNICATIONS AND DIGITAL TECHNOLOGIES
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Approved/ not approved
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HON. MONDLI GUNGUBELE, MP
MINISTER OF COMMUNICATIONS AND DIGITAL TECHNOLOGIES
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