Three South African actresses who won for their gripping portrayal of abused women gave the most moving acceptance speeches at 2019's 13th South African Film and Television Awards (Saftas), with Moshidi Motshega, Lorcia Cooper-Khumalo and Jill Levenberg giving hope and speaking directly to the country's disenfranchised, voiceless and forgotten masses.
The awards show broadcast on SABC2 that was once again marred by bad and shoddy production values and produced this year by Clive Morris Productions, threatened to cut short all three women's very moving acceptance speeches but they stayed resolute on stage as the play-off music swelled, to give their incredibly inspiring messages and to say what pressed on their hearts.
'For every black mother in the township'
Moshidi Motshega who won Best actress in a telenovela for M-Net's The River on 1Magic (DStv 103) for her role of Malefu that she got fired from at Tshedza Pictures just before Christmas, clasped her Golden Horn with both hands as she appeared on stage and paid tribute to her mother, as well as her father who had died.
"I have spent a year sleeping in the same bed with my mom who is grieving a man who she was married to for 43 years. Every morning at 4:30 I wrapped her grief inside me. And mama: Ever storyline, every plotline that I played, every word I said on The River, it was because of you."
"To every black mother in the township who had every raised their kid on hope and prayer, I am the product of hope and prayer. It is for you," she said to a standing ovation.
'More roles for coloured people regardless of race'
Actress and choreographer Lorcia Cooper-Khumalo took to the stage with her kids in tow after she won as Best supporting actress in a TV drama for her incredibly abused character of Tyson in Lockdown on Mzansi Magic (DStv 161), produced by Black Brain Pictures.
She revealed that after 16 years in the industry it was her first award nomination in her career ever, and first win, and speaking up for South Africa's coloured community in an emotional and stirring acceptance speech, refusing to be played off stage.
"I stand here, privileged today, to represent what South Africa represents today"
She said "I've been humbled and privileged that wherever I go, I interact with many South Africans who appreciate the character of Tyson. I've learnt that Tyson resonates with all South Africans."
"It is my hope that going forward, there will be many more opportunities for coloured performers to play roles from across the spectrum regardless of race."
"I am humbled that people see value in my performances. As coloured people we are more than one type of character! And I want to say this: 'Awe ma se kind! Awe! Awe!"
'For all the voiceless in those unseen pockets of SA who are forgotten'
Actress Jill Levenberg who won Best actress in a feature film, for her portrayal of the abused Ellen in Ellen, Die Ellen Pakkies Storie on kykNET (DStv 144), called her mother up on stage who also attended the awards ceremony, as she made her incredibly emotional acceptance speech.
"We've come a very long way from very, very humble beginnings. I could never have imagined that a girl from 12th Street, Kensington [in Cape Town] would be standing here tonight."
In her stirring, inspiring and emotionally-charged speech, Jill Levenberg refused to be cut short when the music threatened to cut her off.
"This is for all of us who continue to do so much with so little. This is for all the voiceless in those unseen pockets in places on the map of South Africa that are forgotten. Don't stop dreaming. Don't give up on yourself. You are also part of South Africa."
"This is for you - in Lavender Hill. In Kensington. In Manenberg. In Hanover Park. Those places on the maps of South Africa that are not seen; that are only seen at election times."
"Don't give up on yourself. Keep on going. This is for all the Abie's and all the Ellen's out there. You don't give up on yourself. If I can do it, you can do it."
Siv Ngesi who won the viewers' vote as Best TV presenter for Man Cave on SABC3 ended his acceptance speech saying "If men bled once a month, sanitary pads would be free. Free sanitary pads for all ladies".
