Industry showdown for SABC

2009-06-03 15:10

Cape Town - The TV industry in South Africa is planning a protest against the SABC in major centres on Thursday.

The public broadcaster has been rocked by reports recently that it is R40m in the red and hasn't paid for some productions.

"We want to protest them not paying production companies and over-managing the production and creative process," artistic director for Generations Mark Graham told News24.

He said he had no fear about sticking his neck out to assist organising this protest as he was more afraid of what was happening at the SABC.

"We want to draw attention to the waste at the SABC. People who have no idea about the creative process are tasked to manage it, top management gets paid huge salaries and there is continued mismanagement."

Creative process

Zane Meas, star of soap 7de Laan agreed. "We want proper structures in place," he told News24 just before heading into the studio.

"We want industry people on the board - people who understand the creative process. Right now we have people who're not even artistically inclined on the SABC board."

Graham said that the SABC was duty-bound to grow independent producers as the public broadcaster, but he has seen many smaller production houses having to close because of non-payment by the SABC.

"Some actors are scared, but when you're fighting for something as important as the SABC, there's no time to be afraid," said Meas. "I'm not afraid - if I have to put my head on a block it's okay.

"What a terrible indictment it would be for me to have to go to the papers if I'm suddenly out of work after I protest," added Meas.

According to Graham, the industry is co-ordinating the protest.

"Everybody is in contact, and there will be people from Generations, Isidingo and other shows at the protest in Johannesburg."

Meas echoed his sentiments.

"We want people to understand it's the entire industry. We don't want the same things to happen again - it's a march for the SABC."

Organisers have advised those participating to wear red, gather at Atlas Studios in Milpark at 10:30, and at the SABC studios in Cape Town at 12:00.