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]
As freelance actors in South Africa are precluded from unionising SAGA established itself as a voluntary association with a labour partner UASA, through whom it was represented within the Federation of Trade Unions FEDUSA. Since 2018 the Guild had been advocating for basic labour rights, motivating for a sectoral determination to be introduced into the Labour Relations Act.[2] By 2023 SAGA's continued advocacy for legislative reform revealed that its interests were no longer aligned with those of UASA, which remains purely a labour union. A strategic reallignment saw SAGA sever ties with its labour partner fron 31 October 2023.
SAGA is a founder member of the Theatre and Dance Alliance TADA and a member of the South African Screen Federation SASFED.[3] It is affiliated to the major actors' guilds and unions across the globe through its membership of the International Federation of Actors (FIA).[4]
On 13 September 2018, SAGA 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).[5] The previous year, on 4 August 2017, SAGA appealed to the Portfolio Committee on Trade and Industry against aspects of the proposed legislative review[6] of the Copyright (Amendment) Bill 2014.[7] Various other organisations, including The South African Freelancer's Association also stood in solidarity with this appeal.[8]
In October 2013 the cast of South Africa’s longest-running soap Generations entered a protracted contractual dispute [9] 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.[10] The cast were being advised by the defunct[11] trade union CWUSA,[12] while SAGA warned that the actors could be held in breach of contract[13] as they were not protected by the Labour Laws. Ultimately the group of actors had their contracts terminated[14] and the show was cancelled.[15]
When South African television drama High Rollers[16] was abruptly cancelled in 2016, SAGA voiced concern over South African producers' willingness to cancel production contracts before expiration.[17]
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.[18]
SAGA has been vocal about the international issue around Sexual Harassment in the Entertainment Industry. The SWIFT (Sisters Working in Film and Television)[19] campaign #ThatsNotOK [20] 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.[21]