Scores of South African artists, authors and publishers have staged a picket outside the American Embassy in Pretoria on Monday to protest what they say is pressure the US is putting on South Africa not to sign the Copyright Amendment Bill.
The protesters are calling on President Cyril Ramaphosa to sign the bill that allows them to earn royalty rights and other essential benefits.
Join SADTU, artists, creatives, writers, musicians and NGO’s at a picket outside the US Embassy in Tshwane. The President should sign the #Copyrightbill now! @_cosatu @SABCNewsOnline @enca pic.twitter.com/He6fAfsEUg
— SADTU National. (@SadtuNational) February 24, 2020
SADTU, TAC, Blind SA, SA Guild of Actors and artists picketing outside the American Embassy demand the US to stop bullying SA and for President Ramaphosa to #signthebillsign. @_cosatu @eNCA @SABCNewsOnline pic.twitter.com/HqFaXbMwp4
— SADTU National. (@SadtuNational) February 24, 2020
TAC joins @SadtuNational, @r2kcampaign, @SaRecreate, Blind SA, @SACP1921, @YCLSA, SA Guild of Actors, SA Council for the Blind, the SA in calling for the President to #EndCopyrightColonialism and #SignTheBill. Large numbers beginning to gather outside the US embassy in Pretoria. pic.twitter.com/JnV1F0RzfW
— TAC (@TAC) February 24, 2020
Washington has been delaying the conclusion of the benefits review of the Generalised System of Preferences which is in favour of South Africa and the International Intellectual Property Alliance.
One of the protest organisers, David Lydall from an organisation called ‘Recreative’, says the bill will empower South Africans to have the same rights as that of actors, performers and creatives like in America.
“We are here protesting this Bill because it will empower our people and South Africans, give rights to compete internationally, to have the same rights as that of actors, performers and creatives like in America. It’s a colonial to deny us having these rights. We are here to condemn the embassy to disassociate itself from that organisation that denies us our rights, like their copyrights proxies and in the review, earning uncertainty in our favour.”
Congrats to Bonnie, but she like everyone of us would like to know when are you going to ask the President to sign the Copyright Amendment Bill and Performers Protection Amendment Bill? https://t.co/KuaHY9ehnF
— #ZoziComesHome (@moesuttle) February 21, 2020
Congratulations to Mmabatho but the creative sector wishes its relationship with you wasn’t limited to congratulations and RIP’s only. Please sign the Copyright Amendment Bill into law, we beg! ??????? https://t.co/pAYJiWaKSt
— Mboni Mushiana (@mbonii) February 17, 2020
Renowned actor Smangaliso Ngema is among the protesters and hopes that their action will bear results.
“I hope that it will make a difference as you know that we’ve praying and praying that the President signs this bill into law. What bolt most is that if I do not fight, this means even my children who are actors will still be doing the same in ten or so. So this is the war we must win now the sake of our children.”