by Thinus Ferreira
The nominees have been announced for
the 2024 Simon Mabhunu Sabela KwaZulu-Natal Film and Television Awards, with
MultiChoice and Mzansi Magic's Shaka iLembe historical drama series grabbing
the most nods.
The 11th edition of the awards has
added two technical categories this year, as well as a reality TV category that
will be decided through a public vote.
The awards is run by the KwaZulu-Natal Tourism and
Film Authority, a newly-formed body following the merger of the KwaZulu-Natal
Film Commission and KZN Tourism.
The new organisation has the combined aim
to promote the KwaZulu-Natal province as a premier film destination for local
filmmakers as well as under the international film industry.
This year the awards is adding two
technical categories – Best use of Cinematography and Best production design.
The public will also be able to vote for a winner in a reality TV category.
The Bomb!
Productions series Shaka iLembe currently filming its second season
for Mzansi Magic (DStv 161) leads with the most nominations, including
nominations for Best Actor - TV, Best Actress - TV, Best Supporting
Actress and Best Production Design just to name a few.
Nominated household names
include Nomzamo Mbatha, Deli Malinga, Hope Mbele, Thembinkosi Mthembu,
Wiseman Mncube and Kwenzo Ngcobo.
Notable films on the film festival
circuit like Jacintha De Nobrega's London Recruits, Daudi Anguka's Mvera
and Carolyn Carew's Music Is My Life – Joseph Tshabalala and Ladysmith Black Mambazo are also in
contention in the various film categories.
"The introduction of the public voting category
acknowledges the popularity of reality TV and allows the audience to actively
participate in recognising their favourite shows and personalities," says
Jackie Motsepe, executive project lead of the Simon Mabhunu Sabela KwaZulu-Natal Film and Television Awards.
About the nominees, she says
"These individuals have displayed remarkable talent, creativity, and
dedication to their craft. The 2024 surge in entries exceeded expectations and
surpassed previous records, underscoring the immense enthusiasm and dedication
of filmmakers and television producers in the province."
Here is the full list of nominees:
1.Best actor - TV
Thembinkosi Mthembu (Shaka iLembe)
Wiseman Mncube (Shaka iLembe)
Wiseman Mncube (Uzalo)
2. Best actress - TV
Deli Malinga (Umkhokha the Curse)
Nirvana Nokwe-Mseluku (Outlaws)
Nomzamo Mbatha (SHaka iLembe)
3. Best supporting actor - TV
Ernest Ndlovu (uZulu no Mhlaba)
Khayelihle Dladla (House of Zwide)
Melusi Yeni (Sibongile and the Dlaminis)
4. Best supporting actress - TV
Dawn Thandeka King (Shaka iLembe)
Hope Mbhele (Shaka iLembe)
Slindile Nodangala (Outlaws)
5. Best actor - film
Kwenzo Ngcobo (Freedom Street)
Masoja Msiza (Dear Future Wife)
Mpho Sebeng (Ingoma)
Siyabonga Shibe (Blind Eye)
6. Best actress - film
Jo-Anne Reyneke (A Queen's Lobola)
Leleti Khumalo (Dear Future Wife)
Phumzile Puting (Why it Came)
7. Best supporting actor - film
Mbongeni Ngema (A Queen's Lobola)
Nkosinathi Keswa (Inkabi)
Muzi Mthabela (Inkabi)
8. Best supporting actress - film
Tumelo Nkwanca (London Recruits)
Nqobile Dhlomo (Amathambo)
Thembi Mtshali-Jones (Blind Eye)
9. Best director
Mengameli Nhlabathi (Blind Eye)
Obett Motaung (Dear Future Wife)
Tumelo Lekena (Father's Day)
Vivek Mehta (A Queen's Lobola)
10. Best pan-African film
Norman Maake (Inkabi)
Jacintha De Nobrega (London Recruits)
Daudi Anguka (Mvera)
11. Best isiZulu film
Joe Spirit (Amathambo)
Caroline Doherty (Dear Future Wife)
Zamani Mthiyane (Ingodusoyami)
12. Best micro-budget film
Zamani Mthiyane (Ingodusoyami)
Sanele Ndlovu (Intandokazi)
Lwazi Duma (Thulebona)
13. Best feature film
Ashish Gangapersad (A Queen's Lobola)
Joe Spirit (Amathambo)
Sans Moonsamy (Who's my Daddy?)
14. Best screenplay
Obett Motaung & Caroline Doherty (Dear Future Wife)
Tumelo Lekena (Father's Day)
Mli Dube (Freedom Street)
15. Best student film
Sithabiso Ndlovu (Cipher)
Sithabiso Ndlovu (hobo)
Lindani Msibi (Isibazi)
Jarnell Kisten (The Captive)
16. Best newcomer - actor
Bonga Mhlongo (Father's Day)
Ntando Zondi (Shaka iLembe)
Ntokozo Mthembu (Uzalo)
Ntokozo Vilakazi (uZulu no Mhlaba)
17. Best newcomer - actress
Nirvana Nokwe-Mseleku (Outlaws)
Zamuntu Khoza (Sibongile and the Dlaminis)
Ziya Zulu (Shaka iLembe)
18. Best use of cinematography
Tiyane Nyembe (A Queen's Lobola)
Jimmy Reynolds (Dear Future Wife)
Jimmy Reynolds (Freedom Street)
19. Best production design
Boitumelo Nhlapo (A Queen's Lobola)
Dylan Lloyd (Shaka iLembe)
Shalen Haluman (Who's my Daddy?)
20. Best use of KZN as filming location
Caroline Doherty (Dear Future Wife)
Gabhisa Khuluse (Ithesho Lami - My Hustle)
Christy Denn (Sibongile and the Dlaminis)
21. Best documentary short film
Sibusisiwe Buthelezi (Checkpoint)
Enver Samuel (Truth Be Told - Ntombi Kubheka - Bones of Memory)
Enver Samuel (Truth Be Told - Phila Portia Ndwandwe - The Breastfeeding Warrior)
22. Best documentary feature film
Jacintha De Nobrega (London Recruits)
Carolyn Carew (Music Is My Life - Joseph Shabalala And Ladysmith Black Mambazo)
