Updated: SABC fires ‘Generations’ cast
The SABC and MMSV Productions have released a press statement responding to the Generations cast strike, which took place last week.
The release reads: "MMSV Productions, following consultation with the South African Broadcasting Corporation (SABC), have today terminated the contracts of the striking actors on the SABC1 soap drama, Generations. The termination follows calls by both parties for the actors to return for recordings, following the start of their illegal strike."
"The SABC and MMSV Productions would like to assure the public that measures have been put in place to ensure the future of Generations."
"All future plans will be communicated by the SABC in due course."
The SABC had threatened to terminate the cast contracts should they fail to return to set on Monday, August 18. The cast members and guild responded with an open letter to media and fans.
The Generations cast later confirmed that they have received letters of dismissal with immediate effect.
On behalf of the cast, statement was released where the actors stated that they have made a decision to examine their legal options. They said: “We are saddened by this development, but remain steadfast in our goal to ensure fair working conditions for ourselves as creative professionals.”
The cast members refused to go back on set on Monday morning, despite a warning from producers of the show.
Mail and Guardian confirmed with the cast’s lawyer, Bulelani Mzamo, who said that the actors were still on strike.
“The actors didn’t return and they have not received any letters of termination, instead of negotiating with the cast or giving them a response, they have ordered them back to work with no word about their grievances.”
In an open letter released on Monday, August 18, the cast highlighted a number of issues that led to the strike, the main ones are:
1. The Generations cast, despite the show being the most popular in South Africa, is paid rates well below what is understood to be the industry norm. There has been a great deal of talk from the SABC that we want to be paid extravagant salaries – this is simply not true. Our actor colleagues on the same platform, SABC, are paid at much better rates – so it is possible. For some bizarre reason, however, the powers-that-be choose to keep Generations’ cast locked into a lower pay grade. This is unjust, and we want it reviewed. We don’t think this is an unreasonable request, considering the audience figures and revenues that the show generates. We just want to be paid fairly, that’s all.
When we went on strike last October, we proposed a set of rates that we should be paid. In November 2013, MMSV Productions agreed to meet these rates, provided the SABC would also support the proposed normalization of salaries. The SABC responded that they would like some time to review the proposed rates, and would revert in March 2014. In March, the SABC requested an extension to July 2014 to continue examining the proposed rates. When the July deadline elapsed, there was no communication from them as to the outcome of their deliberations. When we enquired, we received no response. It became clear to us that their requests for extensions were merely a delaying tactic, and there had never been an intention, as promised, to review the salary scales.
Bear in mind, that based on the SABC’s November 2013 commitment to review the salaries, the cast honoured the broadcaster’s request that they return to set and continue filming. In the end, we, as the cast, want what is best for the show. It’s a real pity that the SABC and MMSV Productions chose to use this as an opportunity to continue to exploit the cast, with no intention whatsoever to fulfill their promises. We want to:
2. Royalties and syndication fees. Our contracts stipulate that we, as cast, are due certain fees whenever Generations is sold to an international broadcaster. To date, the show is aired in a number of different countries across the world. However, we, as the cast, have never received our royalties. Syndication fees and royalties are a very important revenue stream in any actor’s life, and it is worrying – and telling – that the SABC continues to deny us what we are owed in this regard. Why is this?
3. Three-Year Contracts – the Generations shooting schedule is intense, and leaves little time for us as actors to pursue other professional opportunities. In requesting three-year contracts, we are not demanding a blanket three-year guarantee of work. We understand that clauses can be inserted to terminate employment due to issues of non-performance, insubordination and issues of that nature. However, if we are effectively locked into working only for Generations, we feel that it is only reasonable that there be a level of stability that we be afforded in turn.
The strike began in October 2013 when the cast embarked on legal action and a month-long strike due to Mfundi Vundla refusing to agree to their demands.
Sunday World had reported at the time that the national broadcaster and MMSV production company had rejected the actors’ pay increases from R16 000 to R30 000 weekly, because they deemed them “astronomical”.
But the cast responded: “There has been a great deal of talk from the SABC that we want to be paid extravagant salaries – this is simply not true.”
“Our actor colleagues on the same platform, SABC, are paid at much better rates – so it is possible. For some bizarre reason, however, the powers-that-be choose to keep Generations cast locked into a lower pay grade. This is unjust, and we want it reviewed. We don’t think this is an unreasonable request, considering the audience figures and revenues that the show generates," they said in the open letter.
The matter was later discussed and they were told that their issues would be resolved by March this year. The SABC and MMSV then asked for an extension in March until July 2014 but no issues were discussed further and the matter remained unresolved.
Generations is South AFrica’s top TV show with over seven-million viewers and has been on air for 21 years.
