Culture Craze
Mam Nandi’s Farewell: A Wake-up Call for South African Creatives
Mam Nandi’s Final Curtain, and a Call to Fix What’s Broken
When Nandi Nyembe passed away recently at the age of 75, it wasn’t just her absence that left us reeling. It was the truth she had to speak before her final act, pleading not for charity but for a chance to earn.
Affectionately known as Mam Nandi, her public appeal for help struck a nerve. She didn’t want handouts; she wanted to work. Her dignity came through clearly. “Give me a script,” she said, “my brain is alive.” That sentiment, shared by many veteran artists, laid bare the cracks in South Africa’s entertainment ecosystem.
The Industry’s Hidden Fault Lines
Jack Devnarain, chair of the South African Guild of Actors, reminded us that Mam Nandi’s situation is far from unique. Freelancers in our creative sector often walk a tightrope of inconsistent income. Work dries up, savings vanish, and there’s no safety net or residuals to fall back on.
These conditions are baked into the system. Without protections under labour law, performers cannot unionise or benefit from collective bargaining. What’s more, even as their past work continues to generate value, through reruns or streaming, they receive nothing in return.
Two Bills on the Brink of Change
There are two pieces of legislation waiting in the wings: the Copyright Amendment Bill (CAB) and the Performers’ Protection Amendment Bill (PPAB).
The CAB would modernise copyright laws, introducing fair royalties and better digital rights while also increasing access for education and people with disabilities. Meanwhile, the PPAB focuses specifically on performers, granting economic rights, consent protections, and moral rights over their recorded performances.
In February 2024, Parliament approved both bills. But the President referred them to the Constitutional Court last October, citing concerns about potential retrospective effects on producers and copyright owners. A hearing took place in May 2025, marking a critical moment for creatives across the nation.
Why This Matters in Mzansi
Here in Johannesburg and beyond, our artists are more than window-dressing; they are storytellers and cultural custodians. Yet, without residual income or royalties, their twilight years offer little comfort. Mam Nandi’s story is not an isolated special; it’s part of a pattern. From Gcina Mkhize losing her home to others quietly fading into obscurity, countless creative careers end in hardship.
Passing the CAB and PPAB would not only signal fairness, but they’d also inject dignity back into creative work. It means that when a local hit finds new life on a streaming platform, its actors can share in the value it continues to generate.
A Final Thought
Nandi Nyembe’s passing did more than move us; it reminded us that our creative community deserves better. If we let her final plea fade into silence, we do a grave disservice not only to her legacy but also to the generations of storytellers who follow her.
Also read: National Arts and Culture Awards 2025: South Africa’s Cultural Pride on Stage
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Source: IOL
Featured Image: YouTube/Minnie’s Tea
