SABC crisis could mean job losses

TV production companies will face bankruptcy and others will be forced to retrench actors, directors and scriptwriters if the SABC does not solve its financial crisis soon.

This became clear during a crisis meeting was held last Wednesday 8 April 2009 at SABC headquarters in Auckland Park, Johannesburg, between SABC bosses and members of the Television Industry Emergency Coalition to discuss plans to establish exactly how much production companies are owed (see the Bizcommunity.com report on this meeting here.

Last month, SABC acting chief executive Gab Mampone admitted that the broadcaster will make a loss of R800-million this year, and is begging the government for a bailout.

Among some of the hit shows that could be affected include “Isidingo”, “Generations”, “A Place Called Home”, “Tsha Tsha, Khululeka”, “Zola 7”, “Encounters”, “Relate”, “Strictly Come Dancing” and “The Lab”.

The SABC has missed payments to production houses in recent months, citing “administrative issues”.

At the meeting, attended by senior SABC bosses including Mampone, and acting chief operating officer, Charlotte Mampane, a joint task team undertook to tally up the debts and devise payment plans within two weeks.

Source: The Times

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