The Minister of Arts and Culture, Nathi Mthethwa  announced a major breakthrough in getting the management of the SABC to consider the reinstatement of the entire dismissed cast members of Generations television soapie back to work.

Minister Mthethwa held a special meeting attended by all junior and senior actors of the soapie, senior SABC management led by its Chief Operations Office, Hlaudi Motsoeneng and representatives of the Interim Committee of the Cultural & Creative Industries Federation of South Africa at the offices of the Department of Arts & Culture in Pretoria today.

“We are proud to announce that we have been able to open talks between the SABC and the actors after a difficult week of high emotion, tension and conflict that made it hard for the parties to find each other. We are glad that both parties are willing to look into the matter of getting all the cast members back at work soonest.

“This marks a turning point in that all the parties have committed to a meeting that will take place in the next 24-hours at the SABC to explore possibilities of reinstating the actors.

“We have now come to a stage where everyone accepts that we are dealing with substantive issues that cannot be resolved overnight but require principled commitment and time to move us forward.

“There is no doubt that the issues go beyond the Generations cast to include transformation of the industry that has become more urgent and, as government, we will be looking into this issue to clearly identify our responsibility in such matters.

“But there is now light at the end the tunnel as we are convinced that the SABC and the actors will find a common solution that entails, first, getting the actors to return to work,” said Minister Mthethwa.

The Minister Mthethwa has emphasised the importance of a speedy and amicable resolutions that will restore stability to the sector.

“The core mandate of the Department of Arts & Culture is to promote national discourse that contributes to nation building and social cohesion and, at the same time, encourages active citizenry towards an inclusive society.

“It is a significant step in the right direction that both the actors and the SABC have arrived at this stage where they are willing to engage in talks with the sole intent to find a solution to this matter,” said Minister Mthethwa.

Also, he stressed that the creative economy, especially film-making, makes a significant contribution to job creation and the economic growth and development in the country and therefore the rights of creative workers and other professionals in the sector should be respected and protected.

For more information, contact Spokesperson for the Minister of Arts & Culture, Sandile Memela at: 082 800 3750