Award-winning South Africa actress and former Metro FM news anchor Vatiswa Ndara writes an open letter to the Honourable Minister of Sports, Arts and Culture, Nathi Mthethwa.
“Good day Vatiswa, thank you for taking the time to write this letter. This is to confirm that it has been received,” acknowledged Nathi Mthethwa via Twitter.
“At what point, as actors, can we claim to be bona fide professionally rather than national court jesters eternally destined to be ‘free’ entertainment for the people of this fine nation,” reads the opening of the hard-hitting letter.
“Initially I was going for a cool million, Minister, then dropped it to R700k,” says Vatiswa Ndara.
Vatiswa Ndara says that in this sixth administration, the Department of Sports, Arts and Culture have been merged into one. And what is evident about Sports, is that the women and men in this sector are highly prized, valued and respected by this patriotic country. Not so with the arts.
Not a ‘clever black’
“I come forth, not as a ‘clever black, seeking relevance, as it does not deliver a dime nor does it stand to benefit me. At the risk of public shame, humiliation and salacious headlines, not to mention alienation from my peers and possible;e blacklisting from the powers that be in the sector, I humble myself in expressing the truth of my experience in the arts and entertainment industry and publicly exposing the depth of my frustrated and broken spirit.
Ferguson Films (Producers of iGazi and The Queen)
“What prompted this letter of communication, is my most recent interactions with an independent production house, Ferguson Films, that produces iGazi.
“I quote from an email sent by Ferguson Films: ‘Ferguson Films is officially starting iGazi 3 and we would like to offer Vatiswa a global contract for iGazi 3 at R110k (before tax) for the duration of the shoot (5-weeks). No limit calls, first call exclusive to us. We are looking at shooting from 8 October to 9 November. She will also need to allocate a day for a wardrobe fitting and make-up tests in the pre-week sometime between 16 September and 22 September, but otherwise, we only have her during the five shooting weeks’.
“Now Minster, to most this would seem to be a huge amount of money over a five-week work period. However, let me draw you to the harsh realities of what is actually being said in the aforementioned offer,” says Vatiswa Ndara.
- This amount is yet to be taxed;
- There is no guarantee if residuals;
- I am unable to seek further employment until this contracted is concluded;
- I will not be compensated for the time taken out for work-related activities such as wardrobe fittings, make-up, and public relations/media interviews;
- Limitless calls, in case you do not know minister, means I could be on set Monday to Saturday for the full 12 hours a day, over the duration of the five weeks; and these people (Ferguson FIlms) do not want to be limited to the amount of scenes you shoot a day.
“It’s easy for them to give you 18 scenes a day. Minister, in frankness, a normal actor, and a hard-working one at that, is already drained at the exertion of 8 scenes a day,” says Vatiswa Ndara.
Vatiswa Ndara is calling on the Minister and his department to research what the normal deliverables are on producing a 13-part series in other parts of the world.
Vatiswa Ndara says that the Fergusons are caught up in this rotten system designed to smother their creative potential and spirit.
Here are Vatiswa Ndara’s reflections on some of the pertinent issues that plague the South African film and television sector:
- Unfair contractual agreements and expectations;
- Poor remuneration;
- Unfair treatment by producers;
- Poor oversight by Channel;
- Bullying and intimidation;
African National Congress using her image without consent!
Vatiswa Ndara also took some shorts at the African National Congress (ANC) for using her image in 2016 without her consent for their campaigning efforts and political drive.
“When I started questioning and alluding to talks of remuneration for the use of my image, I was met with hostility and arrogance from both the party and some members of the public. Questions were raised as to why do I think I should be remunerated, as some had even said I was being done a favour. Minister, I seek no favour that is not going to benefit me or contribute to my well-being.
“With that said, I do not blame both the magazine and the ruling party for the way they see things because this has been the narrative of being an actor. When actors are ill-treated at ‘home’, it is no wonder that those outside will follow suit in this sort of behaviour,” reads parts of the letter.
“We are considering legal action against the author of the letter and we are not going to answer any further questions at this time,” said Brendan de Kooker from De Kooker Attorneys – representing Ferguson Films.
HERE’S THE REST OF THE 6 PAGE LETTER BELOW:
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