31/01/2025
CHALLENGES SOUTH AFRICAN ACTORS ARE FACING
Unlike in the U.S. and other major film industries, where actors earn appearance fees, residuals, and royalties, South African actors are only paid per contract, which often includes a once-off lump sum for the entire shoot.
This means:
• No pay per episode – whether you appear in 3 episodes or 30, your contract determines your income.
• No residuals – if your show is rebroadcast years later or sold internationally, you don’t get a cent.
• No syndication pay – platforms like Netflix or Showmax can buy local shows, but actors don’t benefit beyond their initial payment.
What This Means for South African Actors
A role that pays R60,000 for a five-week shoot or R105,000 in a similar period may sound good, but considering that:
• Work is inconsistent – actors can go months or years without another role.
• No residual income exists – even if their work continues to generate revenue for broadcasters.
• Many actors have debts from dry spells – so that lump sum often goes toward survival rather than wealth-building.
…it’s clear that an acting job in South Africa is often just a gig, not a financially stable career.
How Much Would South African Actors Earn If We Had Global Standards?
If South Africa followed international standards, here’s how actors would be paid for a Netflix 12-episode series:
• Lead actor: $50,000 – $100,000 per episode (R950,000 – R1.9M per episode).
• Supporting actor: $25,000 – $50,000 per episode (R475,000 – R950,000 per episode).
For a full season (12 episodes):
• Leads could earn R11.4M – R22.8M.
• Supporting actors could earn R5.7M – R11.4M.
What Needs to Change?
1. South African actors must be paid per episode, not just per contract.
2. Appearance fees should be included in contracts for returning cast members.
3. Residuals must be introduced so actors get a cut when their work is rebroadcast.
4. Industry-wide reform is needed to standardize fair pay structures.
Until these changes happen, acting in South Africa will remain a financially unstable profession, where even those in major roles still struggle to make a long-term living.
NB- this depends on the scale and popularity of the show.
