S'dumo Mtshali and Warren Masemola rally for Save SA Film Jobs amid industry crisis

The streets of Cape Town and Pretoria were recently filled with hundreds of industry professionals fighting for their livelihoods. 

On Wednesday, January 28, actors, producers and technicians in Cape Town dressed in black to march for "Save SA Film Jobs".

Actors such as S'dumo Mtshali, Warren Masemola and Buyile Mdladla joined the follow-up march that was held in Johannesburg on Thursday, January 29.

The core of the anger is directed at the Department of Trade, Industry and Competition (DTIC). The industry claims that government "paralysis" and red tape have brought South African film and TV to a standstill.

Protesters revealed that the department owes the industry a staggering R663 million in unpaid rebates, leaving international investors walking away, taking their big-budget movies to countries like Malta and Portugal.

They said that with industry activity shrinking by up to 67%, over 100,000 jobs, from lead actors to caterers, are now in jeopardy.

Protesters revealed that the department owes the industry a staggering R663 million in unpaid rebates, leaving international investors walking away, taking their big-budget movies to countries like Malta and Portugal.

Shortly after the live protest, "iNumber Number: Jozi Gold" actor Mtshali took to Instagram with a powerful message, making it clear that the protest was about much more than just "entertainment".

He reminded the country that behind every movie or show is a family’s livelihood, and that government delays lead to "real human consequences" like missed meals and stolen futures.

He praised the industry for standing together, stating that while they aren't asking for favours, they are demanding the fairness and respect a hard-working sector deserves.

Read the full post below.

In response, "Generation: The Legacy" actor Buyile Mdladla said: "Amandla! ✊🏾 Thanks for showing up, kings!"

Back to the protest in Cape Town, chairperson of the Trade Committee, Mzwandile Masina, signed the protesters' memorandum, wearing a Netflix-branded polo shirt.

The crowd found it bittersweet that a government official was wearing the logo of a global giant while local, independent creators struggled to survive.

According to the list of strict demands of the Save SA Film Jobs protest, Masina has promised an urgent meeting with Minister of Trade, Industry and Competition Parks Tau, a full report explaining where the money is, and a potential "bridge fund" to help struggling production houses survive.

"We are undertaking that within the next 10 days we will arrange a meeting between the leadership of the sector from the different organisations that were listed here, and the minister and the ministry, together with the DG (deputy general), the deputy ministers as well as the minister,” he said.

He told the protesters that parliament had previously been reassured by the department that no crisis existed in the sector.

"On a few occasions where we’ve engaged the department as the oversight committee, they’ve assured us that all is well. But looking at what is happening here, we want to make sure that we work together to correct the wrongs in the sector," Masina said.