CAPE TOWN - It’s day one of nationwide protests as creatives take to the streets under the banner Save SA Film Jobs.
Organisers warn that without a functional local industry.
SA risks losing its own stories to imported content.
They are calling on everyone to join the protest calling for urgent government intervention.
Workers marched to Parliament to demand that the government fix its rebate scheme and revive the industry.
The industry has shrunk 50% since 2020, leaving actors struggling with unpaid rebates and vanishing work opportunities.
READ: SA Guild of Actors fighting for the rights of actors
Leaving actors are unable to afford life due to unpaid rebates and a lack of work opportunities.
Mzwandile Masina, chairperson of the Trade Industry Portfolio Committee, says both the Arts and Culture and the Trade and Industry departments owe Parliament an explanation.
"I have committed that we will summon the Department of Trade and Industry and the competition industry to parliament to give us a full account, but also to explain to us what are the corrective measures, in law, are possible they can do, speedily to save jobs, so save the industry and save tourism in South Africa," Masina said.
Industry workers say they won’t rest until the government comes up with a workable solution.
On Thursday, industry workers are taking the protest to Pretoria.