Veteran South African actress Rami Chuene has scored a landmark victory for the local entertainment industry, announcing that the South African Broadcasting Corporation (SABC) has officially agreed to pay her outstanding repeat fees.
The breakthrough pertains to the public broadcaster’s reruns of the popular Xitsonga drama series Giyani: Land of Blood, where Chuene played the cutthroat, manipulative matriarch Manoko Mudau. Taking to social media on Tuesday afternoon, 19 May 2026, a triumphant Chuene confirmed that her administrative paperwork has already been processed and submitted for payout.
Setting a Precedent for the Thespian Community
While the financial win is a personal triumph, Chuene emphasized that she chose to go public with the news to educate, empower, and set a standard for fellow performers across the country. In South Africa’s entertainment landscape, the exploitation of talent regarding residual payouts and rebroadcasting rights has long been a dark cloud over the industry.
Taking to X (formerly Twitter), Chuene laid out the facts for her peers:
“On this day, 19 May 2026 at 4pm, I, Rami Chuene, would like to state on record that I have received communication from the SABC telling me they will be paying me repeat fees for my work on Giyani: Land Of Blood. Why am I telling you? So you know, my dear thespians, that this is what is truly due to us.”
A Step Toward Industry Reform
The The Queen and How to Ruin Christmas star extended her gratitude to the SABC for honoring their contractual obligations, while voicing her hope that this transparency ripples across all broadcasting networks and production houses.
“I appreciate this from the SABC and hope that all actors that have their shows repeated on TV are also getting their repeat fees. Thank you SABC.”
The announcement has drawn widespread praise from local actors, industry creative bodies, and fans alike, who are calling it a massive milestone in the ongoing fight for fair compensation and sustainable livelihoods within South African arts.
