Actors’ rights group raises concern over lack of sustainable income in the sector

The South African Guild of Actors says it’s disheartening knowing that there is no comfort or reassurance that can be offered to young graduates coming into the industry.

The organisation’s chairperson, Jack Devnarain, says this is due to the lack of statutory framework for actors that gives them the right to earn a continuous income from their work.

Devnarain, who is a leading voice for regulation of the creative industries, was reacting to a renewed social media conversation over legendary actors dying broke or with nothing to show for their once illustrious careers.

Wow.
Played a role in the soapie Scandal.
Some 20 years ago.
ANC government must look after our creative industry.
What happened during Covid was terrible.

— Hanief Haider (@haniefhaider) December 11, 2024

This after veteran Zimbabwean actor, Luthuli Dlamini, released a video to clear the rumours that he is homeless and living at a drug den in Randburg.

Dlamini is best known for his portrayal of Stan Nyathi on the e.tv soap opera, Scandal.

In the video, the esteemed actor urges people to check their source of information.

 

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A post shared by luthuli dlamini (@luthulidlamini)

Devnarain says while the reports were unverified and have been proven to be untrue, they did point to an existing issue of experienced actors with illustrious actors not having residual income from their work.

He has, however, laid the blame for this at the doorstep of Sport, Arts and Culture Minister, Gayton Mckenzie.

According to the actor, Mckenzie has contributed to this issue by going on record to (allegedly) say he would oppose the signing of the Copyright Amendment Bill and Performers’ Protection Amendment Bill.

Devnarain says the signing of this Bill into law would unlock the gates for actors to earn from the royalties of their work.

The two contentious bills, which won’t only benefit actors, have faced immense criticism, and have had to be sent back to the National Assembly to be reamended numerous times.

“…the bills provide for a number of significant measures relating to intellectual property rights and cover key products that are used in society and the economy, such as, books, music, movies, photographs, sculptures and architectural designs, and their digital equivalents,” according to the Minister of Trade, Industry and Competition, Ebrahim Patel.

In October, President Cyril Ramaphosa referred the bills to the Constitutional Court in for a ruling on their constitutionality.

https://www.gov.za/news/media-statements/president-cyril-ramaphosa-refers-copyright-amendment-bill-and-performers%E2%80%99