some good came out of the protest mach

Written by Authentic views from the blog Authentic views on 05 Jun 2009
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I was very skeptical about the organized protest mach by TV Industry Emergence Coalition to hand over memorandum to SABC, I took as the waste as SABC doesn’t have resources to pay what they are currently owing the industry I also thought there industry has lots of internal issues that needs to be addressed.
The gathering became a platform where a number of those issues were raised with representatives of various organization such the IPO (Independent producer organization), SASFED (South African Screen federation), TPA (The producers alliance), AC (The actors coalition), DFA (Documentary filmmakers association, CWUSA (Creative workers union) and others showing up in numbers. Oupa Lebogo representing communication’s union calling upon delegates to take charge of their own industry, to hold robust discussions and not speak in fragmentation.
There was also a call by Swaziland solidarity network calling upon the artist to stop promoting King Mswati’s sexual appetites but raise issues of suffering that are affecting the Swazi people.

Castro Ngobese of Yong Communists told the delegates to engage Communication’s Minister for all their concerns and that the required bailout of R2 Billion must be with held till the current SABC board has been removed. He branded the board as Thabo Mbeki’s board which looted SABC’s money with boyfriends and girlfriends trip to Beijing and stole the money for COPE.

Although its yet to be seen how SABC will pay up, as Gab Mampone, SABC’s acting CEO hasn’t really give clear details, the situation has shown lots of unity which can be a building block for the future.

9 Comments

Authentic views
05 Jun 2009 09:13

thats my take, would likt to hear yours.

realist
05 Jun 2009 13:29

This sabc strike thing, does it also include the sabc radio stations? To me the radio stations are still business as usual. Since I hardly watch anything on sabc except the news and weather on sabc 3, I do not think it will have an impact if the sabc does not secure anything exclusive.

To survive in this game you need revenue from the advertisers. If they don’t get that, no matter how much the government bail them out they will still make a loss.

If split the sabc 1, 2 and 3. Which of these channels is making profit? If none they might as well close shop.

As for the radio stations, which station is making profit? If none, restructure or close shop.

Authentic views
05 Jun 2009 14:07

There has been quiteness about the Radio performance, the whole attention was placed on TV, probably because its TV producers who initiated this mach and unions representing TV operators in various areas who are threatening black out during CONFED CUP. It seems as business as usual on Radio indeed may be because it does not rely on Independent producers for its content. As for revenue status of the Radio I'll have to dig that up.

carino
05 Jun 2009 14:11

Forgive me, but im quite disturbed by the way you spell the word "MARCH" . I've tried to ignore it but its really heavy.

Anyway, thanks for the much-needed feedback... lemme read...

monchooza
05 Jun 2009 14:18

LOL Carino

Authentic views
05 Jun 2009 18:33

Thanks for that Carino, wasn't aware, next time I'll make sure I double check my spelling.

HARAMBE24
05 Jun 2009 18:41

And last night Madam Mkhoza quit....LOL

Jax
06 Jun 2009 17:03

I was there!

Here's exactly what we were protesting about .........

"Whilst the demonstration calls have been sparked by the anger over non payment, the TVIEC is convinced that the real issues are much deeper and more significant: unfair terms of trade, unsustainable business relationships with the content creators, unfair rights ownership (IP) and a deep arrogance manifested in the heavy handed management style the SABC displays.

Budgets are lower than they were seven years ago. Price fixing of fees for crew and cast and unsustainable production fees have left companies vulnerable and exhausted, while SABC management take home exorbitant fees and performance bonuses – some bonuses exceed an entire year’s production fee for a major daily soap – and enjoy first class air travel, 5 star hotel suites and lavish entertainment."

The vibe was incredible and really awesome to see so many pulling together: actors, film directors, independent producers, technicians, script writers, musicians, extras and members of the public!
Now we wait to hear what their promised "action plan" will be.

Check it out: http://www.facebook.com/video/video.php?v=83543987797&ref=mf

Authentic views
08 Jun 2009 20:50

I hope robust discussion continue taking place indeed and that solutions come out.

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