by Thinus Ferreira
The tally of the final winners' list at the 15th South African Film and Television Awards (SAFTAs) saw M-Net emerge as the big winner with 6 Golden Horn trophies for its new telenovela Legacy on the M-Net (DStv 101) channel, as well as 6 trophies for The River on its 1Magic (DStv 103) channel.
Both Legacy and The River are produced by Tshedza Pictures.
With 8 Golden Horn trophies, How to Ruin Christmas: The Wedding on Netflix won the most film awards, while Griekwastad, produced by Scene23, won as best feature film.
Overall pay-TV shows across various MultiChoice's various DStv channels snagged 47 awards, while Netflix as a video streaming service clinched a total of 19 awards out of its 45 nominations - including yet another win for My Octopus Teacher from The Sea Change Project - South Africa's 2021 Oscars winner in the Best Documentary Feature category - that won the 2021 SAFTA in the category for Best natural history and environmental programme.
Legacy won as best telenovela, e.tv's cancelled Rhythm City won as Best TV soap, and the first season of Gambit Films' Blood & Water on Netflix was awarded Best TV drama.
SABC2's The Riviera, produced by Community Media Trust for SABC2 won as Best TV comedy.
Viewers voted Entle Bizane as the best TV presenter for Hectic on 3 on SABC3.
The public vote for Most popular TV soap/telenovela was Gomora from Seriti Films on Mzansi Magic (DStv 161) although the category was once again not truly representative since viewers once again couldn't vote for Generations - The Legacy on SABC1 or Muvhango on SABC2 since both continued with their boycott of the awards.
"I’d like to congratulate all the winners as well as our valued partners, especially our broadcast partners, Mzansi Magic and S3. It truly is an honour for the NFVF to be the custodians of the SAFTAs and to watch the industry grow and flourish," said Makhosazana Khanyile, National Film and Video Foundation (NFVF) CEO.
"Amidst a global pandemic, our artists
persevered, entertained, and challenged themselves and this can be witnessed in
the number of nominees that this year witnessed. I'm grateful for the industry
that continues to walk the SAFTAs journey with us and true to this year’s
theme, the industry is absolutely still shining."
Here is the complete and comprehensive list of nominees for the 15th SAFTAs:
Best short film
Address unknown (Green Leaf Films)
Best student film
Fowl Goblin (The Animation School)
TV soap / telenovela
Best achievement in directing – telenovela
Thabang Moleya, Nthabiseng Mokoena, Nozipho Nkelemba, Lefuno Nekhabambe (Gomora season 1), Mzansi Magic (DStv 161)
Best achievement in directing – TV soap
Danie Joubert, Roche Knoesen, Riaan Meij, Charl van Biljon, Gerrit Schoonhoven, Jaco Vermeulen (Binnelanders), kykNET (DStv 144)
Best achievement in scriptwriting - telenovela
Gwydion Beynon, Phathutshedzo Makwarela (The River), 1Magic (DStv 103)
Best achievement in scriptwriting – TV soap
Ameera Patel, Grace Mahlaba, Daryn Katz, Kelly Robinson, Mark Wilson, Nonhlanhla Simelane, Omphile Molusi, Rosalind Butler, Stephen Simm, Tereska Muishond, Themba Mahlangu, Myolisi Sikupela, Thomas Hall (Scandal!), e.tv
Best achievement in original music/score – telenovela
Brendan Jury (The River), 1Magic (DStv 161)
Best achievement in editing – telenovela
Bongi Malefo, Edgar Sibaya, Sphiwe Nhlumayo, Ula Oelsen (The River), 1Magic (DStv 161)
Best achievement in sound – TV soap / telenovela
Ben Oelsen, Tladi Mabuya, The River, 1Magic (DStv 161)
Best achievement in cinematography – telenovela
Trevor Brown, Legacy, M-Net (DStv 101)
Best achievement in wardrobe – TV soap / telenovela
Zandile Mncwango, Legacy, M-Net (DStv 101)
Best Achievement in make-up & hairstyling – TV soap / telenovela
Jenny Sprawson, Legacy, M-Net (DStv 101)
Best achievement in art direction – TV soap / telenovela
Amanda Scholtz (Legacy), M-Net (DStv 101)
Best actress – telenovela
Sindi Dlathu (as Lindiwe Dlamini-Dikana), The River, 1Magic (DStv 103)
Best actor – telenovela
Menzi Ngubane (as Judas Nqwenya), Isibaya, Mzansi Magic (DStv 161)
Best supporting actress – telenovela
Michelle Botes (as Angelique Price), Legacy, M-Net (DStv 101)
Best supporting actor – telenovela
Meshack Mavuso Magabane (as Nsizwa), The River, 1Magic (DStv 161)
Best actress – TV soap
Petronella Tshuma (as Pearl Genaro), Rhythm City, e.tv
Best actor – TV soap
Clint Brink (as Steve Abrahams), Binnelanders, kykNET (Dstv 144)
Best supporting actress – TV soap
Masasa Mbangeni (as Thembeka Shezi Nyathi), Scandal!, e.tv
Best supporting actor – TV soap
Mothusi Magano (as Tumishang), Skeem Saam, SABC1
Best TV soap
Rhythm City (Quizzical Pictures), e.tv
Best telenovela
Legacy (Tshedza Pictures), M-Net (DStv 101)
TV drama
Best achievement in directing – TV drama
Etienne Fourie, Elanie Rupping, Tydelik Terminaal, kykNET (DStv 144)
Best achievement in scriptwriting - TV drama
Portia Gumede, Duduzile Mabaso, Lufuno Nemungadi, Lidudumalingani Mqombothi, Housekeepers season 2, Mzansi Magic (DStv 161)
Best Achievement in editing – TV drama
Miriam Arndt, Alistair Thomas, Still Breathing, M-Net (DStv 101)
Best achievement in sound – TV drama
Sound & Motion Studios Sound Team, Blood & Water season 1, Netflix
Best achievement in original music/score – TV drama
Kurt Slabbert, Jamela Vuma, Mandla Ngcongwane, Lockdown season 5, Mzansi Magic (DStv 161)
Best achievement in art direction – TV drama
Carlu Portwig, Agent, Netflix
Best achievement in wardrobe – TV drama
Lehasa Molloyi, Nokuthula Hlatshwayo, Hannie Molefe, John Moremi, Nobuntu Ndaba, Kgomarelano Ntlane, Queen Sono, Netflix
Best achievement in make-up and hairstyling – TV drama
Babalwa Mtshiselwa, Trackers, M-Net (DStv 101)
Best achievement in cinematography – TV drama
Zenn van Zyl, Blood & Water season 1, Netflix
Best actress – TV drama
Kate Liquorish (as Abi), Still Breathing, M-Net (DStv 101)
Best actor – TV drama
Brandon Auret (as Danny), Still Breathing, M-Net (DStv 101)
Best supporting actress – TV drama
June van Merch (as Sara), Sara se Geheim season 3, kykNET (DStv 144)
Best supporting actor – TV drama
James Ngcobo (as President Malunga), Queen Sono, Netflix
Best TV drama
Blood & Water season 1, Gambit Films, Netflix
TV comedy
Best achievement in directing – TV comedy
Lucilla Blankenberg, Lederle Bosch, The Riviera, SABC2
Best achievement in scriptwriting – TV comedy
Byron Abrahams, Lwazi Mvusi, Joshua Rous, Meren Reddy, Black Tax season 1, BET (DStv 129)
Best achievement in editing – TV comedy
Tessa Verfuss, Gugulethu Sibandze, Melanie Jankes, How to Ruin Christmas: The Wedding, Netflix
Best achievement in sound – TV comedy
Janno Muller, Thapelo Makhubo, Jeanre Greyling, Jonty Everton, How to Ruin Christmas: The Wedding, Netflix
Best achievement in art direction – TV comedy
Martha Sibanyoni,Thabiso Senne & Savannah Geldenhuys, How to Ruin Christmas: The Wedding, Netflix
Best achievement in wardrobe – TV comedy
Sheli Masondo, How to Ruin Christmas: The Wedding, Netflix
Best achievement in make-up and hairstyling – TV comedy
Babalwa Mtshiselwa, How to Ruin Christmas: The Wedding, Netflix
Best achievement in cinematography – TV comedy
Lance Gewer, How to Ruin Christmas: The Wedding, Netflix
Best actress – TV comedy
Busisiwe Lurayi (as Tumi), How to Ruin Christmas: The Wedding, Netflix
Best actor – TV comedy
James Borthwick (as Freddie), Hotel, kykNET (DStv 144)
Best supporting actress
Martelize Kolver (as Brenda), Hotel, kykNET (DStv 144)
Best supporting actor – TV comedy
Desmond Dube (as Shadrack), How to Ruin Christmas: The Wedding, Netflix
Best TV comedy
The Riviera, Community Media Trust, SABC2
Documentary feature
Best achievement in directing - documentary
Rehad Desai, Mark Kaplan, How to Steal a Country, M-Net
Best achievement in cinematography – documentary
Devin Carter, Chasing the Sun, SuperSport
Best achievement in editing – documentary
Megan Gill, How to Steal a Country, M-Net
Best achievement in sound – documentary feature
Charlotte Buys, How to Steal a Country, M-Net
Best documentary feature
How to Steal a Country, Uhuru Productions
Best documentary
Lindela Under Lockdown!, Passion Seed Communications
Best made-for-TV documentary
Chasing the Sun, T+W, SuperSport
Best natural history and environmental programme
My Octopus Teacher, Sea Change Project, Netflix
Best children’s programme
Talakani Sesame season 11, Ochre Media, SABC2
Best competition reality show
Celebrity Mystery Box, Brightfire Pictures, Mzansi Magic (DStv 161)
Best structured / docu-reality show
Pale Ya Koša, Full Circle Productions, SABC2
Best structured soap reality show
Life with Kelly Khumalo, Barleader TV, Showmax
Best international format show
Hoor My! Sien My! Soen My!, Afrokaans, kykNET (DStv 144)
Best educational programme
Made In SA season 6, Ochre Media, SABC3
Best factual programme
Devi, e.tv
Best current affairs programme
Carte Blanche, Women's Month special, M-Net (DStv 101)
Best variety show
Republiek van Zoid Afrika, Brainwave Productions, kykNET (DStv 144)
Best youth programme
Africa's Biggest Brags, Lincoln Green Media, MTV Base (DStv 322)
Best entertainment programme
Maak My Famous Showcase, All Star Entertainment, kykNET (DStv 144)
Best lifestyle programme
Come Again, Tshedza Media, SABC1
Best made-for-TV movie
Loving Thokoza, Black Brain Pictures, Mzansi Magic (Dstv 161)
Best online content
The Adventures of Noko Mashaba - Lockdown Shandis, Rams Comics, Mzansi Magic (DStv 161)
FILM
Best achievement in directing – feature film
Jozua Malherbe, Griekwastad kykNET (DStv 144)
Best achievement in scriptwriting – feature film
Rene van Rooyen, Toorbos, kykNET (DStv 144)
Best achievement in cinematography – feature film
Rory O'Grady, Riding with Sugar, Netflix
Best achievement in sound design – feature film
Sound & Motion Studios Sound Team, Riding with Sugar, Netflix
Best achievement in original music/score – feature film
Andries Smit, Toorbos, kykNET (DStv 144)
Best achievement in editing – feature film
Lucian Barnard, Griekwastad, kykNET (DStv 144)
Best achievement in production design – feature film
Kate van der Merwe, Riding with Sugar, Netflix
Best achievement in costume design – feature film
Annie Seegers, Riding with Sugar, Netflix
Best achievement in make-up and hairstyling – feature film
Menio Kalymnios, Stella Kalymnios, & Hannes Oosthuizen, Triggered, Amazon Prime Video, iTunes, Google Play
Best actress – feature film
Tinarie Loots (as Ava), Gat In Die Muur, Netflix
Best actor – feature film
Tshamano Sebe (as Lazarus), 8, Netflix
Best supporting actress – feature film
Tarryn Wyngaard (as Samiah), Stam, DStv BoxOffice
Best supporting actor – feature film
Hakeem Kae Kazim (as Mambo), Riding with Sugar, Netflix
Best feature film
Griekwastad, Scene23, DStv BoxOffice
Lifetime Achievement Award
Dr Gcina Mhlophe
Best TV presenter (public voting category)
Entle Bizane, Hectic on 3, SABC3
Most popular TV soap / telenovela (public voting category)
Gomora, Seriti Films, Mzansi Magic (DStv 161)
