South African Guild of Actors

The South African Guild of Actors is a representative body in South Africa that advocates for the interests of South African actors in the performing arts industry.[1]

SAGA has a labour partner UASA, through whom it is represented within the Federation of Trade Unions FEDUSA. It is a member of the South African Screen Federation SASFED[2] and is affiliated with the International Federation of Actors (FIA).[3]

On 13 September 2018, made a presentation to the Portfolio Committee on Trade and Industry in the Parliament of South Africa in support of the Performers Protection Amendment Bill (2016)[4]. The previous year, on 4 August 2017, SAGA appealed to the Portfolio Committee on Trade and Industry against aspects of the proposed legislative review[5] of the Copyright (Amendment) Bill 2014.[6] Various other organisations, including The South African Freelancer's Organisation also stood in solidarity with this appeal. [7]

In October 2013 the cast of South Africa’s longest-running soap Generations entered a protracted contractual dispute [8] with the public broadcaster, the SABC. When 16 cast members embarked on a so-called 'strike' barely a year later, the producer and broadcaster announced an indefinite hiatus in production.[9] The cast were being advised by the defunct[10] trade union CWUSA[11], while SAGA warned that the actors could be held in breach of contract[12] as they were not protected by the Labour Laws. Ultimately the group of actors had their contracts terminated[13] and the show was cancelled.[14]

When South African television drama High Rollers[15] was abruptly cancelled in 2016, SAGA voiced concern over South African producers' willingness to cancel production contracts before expiration.[16]

When an actor fell to his death on 12 May 2018 while on a film set in the Drakensberg mountains in South Africa's KwaZulu-Natal province, SAGA initiated an investigation in collaboration with City Press.[17]

SAGA has been vocal about the international issue around Sexual Harassment in the Entertainment Industry. The SWIFT (Sisters Working in Film and Television)[18] campaign #ThatsNotOK [19] highlighting the plight of harassment has been endorsed and supported by SAGA. The collaboration of both organisations has brought about a Code of Conduct to be adopted by all industry professionals as well as addendum suggested for all actors and industry practitioners to sign in their contracts.[20]