Ferial Haffajee
After five years of talking, the SABC and the Performing Arts Workers Equity (Pawe) have signed a landmark agreement. For the first time, South Africas artists and those who work in the sector, will have a detailed performance contract which guarantees better and safer working conditions as well as a slice of the royalties pie. Pawe has been negotiating with three sets of managers: Melanie Chait, the SABCs head of programme planning finally signed the contract earlier this month.
The biggest gain for artists is the agreement that they will receive a larger share of the profits royalties when programmes are resold. South African productions like Suburban Bliss and Soul City have become household names in many African countries. Now artists will receive 2% of the gross amount paid by other television stations for these programmes.
This part of the agreement has been back- dated to October last year; a compromise on Pawes part because it had signed an old agreement with the SABC providing for back- payments dating to 1993.
Says Pawes Dan Robbertse: In the UK, [pay] rates are lower than ours. Its made up by royalties. This is very useful for artists because of the sporadic nature of the work.
The agreement also provides for better working conditions including better safety standards, food during shoots and guaranteed safe transport.
For the first time actors will be paid a repeat fee should a programme be aired more than once and the contract also includes a clause where all nude scenes must be negotiated well beforehand instead of being sprung upon an actor.
The SABC and Pawe hope the contract will become an industry standard. Every independent producer selling to the SABC will be asked to use the contract.