Shockwaves in SA: Unions Rage After Legendary Actress’ Death

THE South African Guild of Actors (Saga) is calling for change.

Together with the National Union of Metalworkers of South Africa (Numsa), they released a statement on Tuesday, 3 September, and said Mam’ Nandi Nyembe’s death needs to bring change.

Leading up to her passing, the actress had asked for donations to help with her health issues.

She passed away on 23 August aged 75.

Numsa and Saga said many artists go through the same and more creatives will die poor if there’s no change.

“Mam’ Nyembe’s final months were marked by financial hardship. Despite her fame and decades of contribution, she struggled to afford medical care and died without the dignity she deserved. Her story is tragically common. Many South African creatives live in poverty, even as their work fuels a billion-rand industry.

“This is not a coincidence. It’s a system. The creative sector is parasitic, feeding off the labour of artists while denying them fair compensation and security. Mam’ Nyembe’s suffering was not accidental. It was engineered by an industry that treats its workers as disposable,” read the statement.

Jack Devnarain, Chairman of Saga said it was sad to see artists struggle.

“For 15 years, Saga has lobbied government for labour protections and fair regulation. Until freelance actors are recognised as workers under the labour law, we will continue to see heartbreaking stories of celebrated performers dying in poverty.

“Mam’ Nyembe’s passing is a brutal reminder of the cost of inaction. We’ve waited 30 years. How much longer must we wait while politicians prepare their next eulogy for another actor who dies destitute? This is not neglect. It’s a deliberate strategy to deny creatives their constitutional rights,” he said.

Numsa’s deputy general secretary Mbuso Ngubane said abandonment of creative workers is a betrayal of South Africa’s democratic promise.

“Cultural workers were central to the fight against apartheid. Protest theatre and music were tools of resistance, used to educate, mobilise, and unify communities.

“Icons like the late Bra Hugh Masekela and the late Miriam Makeba used their art to challenge oppression. Yet today, the very sector that helped liberate this country is left to rot,” he said.

They closed the statement by saying the industry needs to change.

“Mam’ Nyembe’s death must mark a turning point. She must be the last to suffer such indignity. We call on all creative workers to unite, mobilise, and fight for their rights. The industry must be transformed, not in name, but in substance,” read the statement.