by Thinus Ferreira
South Africa's most expensive TV show to date earned its hefty price tag
with the first season of Shaka iLembe which won 12 awards at the 18th South
African Film and Television Awards (SAFTAs), while Netflix's Yoh!, Christmas
and Showmax's Outlaws both netted eight Golden Horns each.
Over the two-night craft and main awards ceremonies on Friday and
Saturday night – again held at Gallagher Estate in Midrand, Johannesburg –
MultiChoice and M-Net’s set of TV channels on DStv scooped 32 wins in total,
followed by Netflix South Africa with 19.
MultiChoice's streamer Showmax won 10 awards in total, although its
Canal+ co-production drama series Spinners got completely shut out and was snubbed with no wins.
Amazon Prime Video surprisingly grabbed seven trophies, five of which
were for The Fragile King, which also won Best feature film.
The wins are both
painful and ironic since Amazon Studios shocked and dismayed the local film
industry when it abruptly decided to exit South African original production
earlier this year.
The SABC won 12 categories for various content on the South African
public broadcaster. eMedia’s e.tv won just four categories although it included
a win for a second consecutive year for Ochre Media's Scandal! in the Most
popular soap category, which is a public vote.
The 18th SAFTAs primarily belonged to three shows: MultiChoice and M-Net's
first season of the Shaka iLembe drama series from Bomb Shelter seen on Mzansi
Magic, Netflix South Africa’s Yoh!, Christmas comedy series from BBZEE Films,
as well as the Outlaws telenovela on Showmax from Tshedza Pictures.
Shaka iLembe won 12 categories including Best TV drama.
Meanwhile Yoh!, Christmas pushed kykNET’s Taktiek (with just one win) out
of the way to grab eight Golden Horns, including for Best TV comedy. Outlaws
won eight awards, including for Best telenovela.
SABC1’s Skeem Saam won Best TV soap, while Best documentary went to !Aitsa.
The late Mpho Sebeng won Best supporting actor in a telenovela for his role in
SABC3’s The Estate.
The SAFTAs gave Lifetime achiever awards to Generations creator Mfundi
Vundla, as well as to the actor and sculptor Arthur Molepo.
The 18th SAFTAS once again suffered from some technical problems and mistakes like the opening of a wrong envelope too soon, revealing Natasha Sutherland as Best supporting actress in a TV drama too soon and before the category's turn.
Lebogang Mogoera, acting CEO of the National Film and Video Foundation
(NFVF), said the SAFTAs is "immensely proud of the calibre of talent showcased this year and the
hard work of all those involved in bringing these stories to life".
"A big
thank you to our long-standing broadcast partners MultiChoice and SABC whose
support enabled us to bring the awards to all South Africans."
Nomsa Philiso, MultiChoice CEO for general entertainment, said "This weekend
highlighted the rich diversity and powerful storytelling that our creative
industry offers viewers".
"As the leading investor in local content across
Africa, MultiChoice is dedicated to supporting and expanding the continent’s
film and television landscape. Congratulations to all the winners and to the
teams who poured their talent and hard work into bringing these
stories to life."
Here's the full list of winners of 2024's 18th South African Film and Television Awards:
BEST ACHIEVEMENT IN SOUND - DOCUMENTARY
!AITSA | Simon Kohler, MED CINE, Encounters Festival
BEST ACHIEVEMENT IN EDITING - DOCUMENTARY
Rise: The Siya Kolisi Story | Ebenhaezer Smal (Haezer), Orange Films and Star Films, Showmax, M-Net, SuperSport
BEST ACHIEVEMENT IN CINEMATOGRAPHY - DOCUMENTARY
Rosemary's Hitlist | Sims Phakisi, Idea Candy, Showmax
BEST ACHIEVEMENT IN DIRECTING - DOCUMENTARY
Music Is My Life - Joseph Shabalala and Ladysmith Black Mambazo | Mpumi "Supa" Mbele, LifeOfJS, SABC1
BEST DOCUMENTARY SHORT
Faces of Fortune, Red Coat Films, Encounters festival
BEST MADE FOR TV DOCUMENTARY OR DOCUMENTARY SERIES
Pale Ya Kosa, Full Circle Productions, SABC2
BEST DOCUMENTARY FEATURE
!AITSA | MED CINE, Encounters Festival
BEST CHILDREN’S PROGRAMME
Baking With the Rey's | Rey Music, SABC3
BEST EDUCATIONAL PROGRAMME
The Khoekhoe Saga | On Set Images, SABC2
BEST FACTUAL PROGRAMME
Outopsie | 7EVENTY9 Films, VIA
BEST COMPETITION REALITY SHOW
Kokkedoor: Vuur & Vlam | Homebrew Films, kykNET
BEST STRUCTURED SOAPIE REALITY SHOW
Young, Famous and African S2 | Urban Brew Studios & A Pop Media, Netflix
BEST STRUCTURED OR DOCU-REALITY SHOW
Reno Race | RHT United T/A RichCon, SABC1
BEST YOUTH PROGRAMME
MTV Shuga Down South S3 | Burnt Onion Productions, BET Africa
BEST ONLINE CONTENT
The Adventures of Noko Mashaba - Struggles of SA Youth | Rams Comics, YouTube/Facebook
BEST LIFESTYLE PROGRAMME
Die Argitekte | Thank you kindly, Bobby, VIA
BEST CURRENT AFFAIRS PROGRAMME
Checkpoint | eNCA
BEST MADE FOR TV MOVIE
'n Tyd van Waterpere| Sonvelt Media, M-Net, kykNET
BEST INTERNATIONAL FORMAT
The Masked Singer SA | Rose and Oaks Media, SABC3
BEST ENTERTAINMENT PROGRAMME
Koppestamp | Just Ad Production, kykNET
BEST VARIETY SHOW
Sport@10 | SABC Sport, SABC1
BEST ACHIEVEMENT IN MAKE-UP AND HAIRSTYLING - TV COMEDY
Roomies | Yonela Nombewu, 32Done Productions, 1Magic
BEST ACHIEVEMENT IN WARDROBE - TV COMEDY
Roomies | Thembelihle Buthelezi, 32Done Productions, 1Magic
BEST ACHIEVEMENT IN SOUND - TV COMEDY
Yoh! Christmas | Themba Mashinini, Guy Steer, BBZEE Films, Netflix
BEST ACHIEVEMENT IN ART DIRECTION - TV COMEDY
Magaeng | Kagiso Malefane, Burnt Onion Productions, Mzansi Magic
BEST ACHIEVEMENT IN EDITING - TV COMEDY
Yoh! Christmas, Tessa Verfuss, Quinn Lubbe, Miriam Arndt, BBZEE Films, Netflix
BEST ACHIEVEMENT IN SCRIPTWRITING - TV COMEDY
Yoh! Christmas | Tiffany Barbuzano, Zoleka Monare, Johny Barbuzano, Gillian Breslin, BBZEE Films, Netflix
BEST ACHIEVEMENT IN CINEMATOGRAPHY - TV COMEDY
Yoh! Christmas | James Adey, BBZEE Films, Netflix
BEST ACHIEVEMENT IN DIRECTING - TV COMEDY
Yoh! Christmas | Johnny Barbuzano, Lauren Chengan, Sanele Zulu, Zolani Phakade, Chris Beasley, BBZEE Films, Netflix
BEST ACHIEVEMENT IN MAKE-UP AND HAIRSTYLING - TV DRAMA
Shaka Ilembe | Queen Motlatle, Bomb Shelter, Mzansi Magic
BEST ACHIEVEMENT IN WARDROBE - TV DRAMA
Shaka Ilembe | Shirley Masondo, Bomb Shelter, Mzansi Magic
BEST ACHIEVEMENT IN ART DIRECTION - TV DRAMA
Shaka Ilembe | Dylan Lloyd, Bomb Shelter, Mzansi Magic
BEST ACHIEVEMENT IN SPECIAL EFFECTS (SFX) IN HAIR AND MAKE-UP- FILM/TV
Do Your Worst | Nicola Roodt, Ronwyn Jarrett & Cassidy Lombard, Blingola Media, Netflix
BEST ACHIEVEMENT IN SOUND - TV DRAMA
Shaka Ilembe | Athanasios Koundouris, Vaughan Phillips, Andries Scholtz, Bomb Shelter, Mzansi Magic
BEST ACHIEVEMENT IN ORIGINAL MUSIC/SCORE - TV DRAMA
Shaka Ilembe | Philip Miller, Bomb Shelter, Mzansi Magic
BEST ACHIEVEMENT IN AN ORIGINAL SONG – TV DRAMA
Classified | Zethu Mashika, Diprente, Netflix
BEST ACHIEVEMENT IN EDITING - TV DRAMA
Shaka Ilembe | Sibongeleni Mabuyakhulu, Llewellyn Rice, Megan Gill, Bomb Shelter, Mzansi
BEST ACHIEVEMENT IN VISUAL EFFECTS (VFX) – FILM/TV
Shaka Ilembe | Eugen Olsen, Gerhard Painter, Bomb Shelter, Mzansi Magic
BEST ACHIEVEMENT IN CINEMATOGRAPHY - TV DRAMA
Shaka Ilembe | Zeno Petersen, Bomb Shelter, Mzansi Magic
BEST ACHIEVEMENT IN SCRIPTWRITING - TV DRAMA
Shaka Ilembe | Thishiwe Ziqubu, Paul Grootboom, Catherine Stewart, Andrew Peterson, Daniel, Bomb Shelter, Mzansi Magic
BEST ACHIEVEMENT IN DIRECTING - TV DRAMA
Shaka Ilembe | Angus Gibson, Zeno Petersen, Adze Ugah, Bomb Shelter, Mzansi Magic
BEST ACHIEVEMENT IN MAKE-UP AND HAIRSTYLING - TV SOAP/TELENOVELA
1802-Love Defies Time | Lungelwa Mildred Hela, Hela Media, 1Magic
BEST ACHIEVEMENT IN WARDROBE - TV SOAP/TELENOVELA
House of Zwide | Bevely Mogorosi, Teddy Geldart, Bomb Shelter, e.tv
BEST ACHIEVEMENT IN EDITING –TELENOVELA
Outlaws | Natalie Varoy, Ebenhaezer Smal, Bongi Malefo, Siwelile Mbanjwa, Nandi Mehlomakulu, Tshedza Pictures, Showmax
BEST ACHIEVEMENT IN ORIGINAL MUSIC/SCORE – TELENOVELA
Outlaws | Brendan Jury, Tshedza Pictures, Showmax
BEST ACHIEVEMENT IN AN ORIGINAL SONG – TELENOVELA
The River | Brendan Jury, Sindi Dlathu, Tshedza Pictures, 1Magic
BEST ACHIEVEMENT IN CINEMATOGRAPHY – TELENOVELA
Outlaws | Ntobeko Dlamini, Tshedza Pictures, Showmax
BEST ACHIEVEMENT IN SOUND – TV SOAP
Binnelanders | Eric McKechnie, Barry Gillot, Stark Films, kykNET
BEST ACHIEVEMENT IN SOUND –TELENOVELA
Outlaws | Geoff Kock, Clark Fivaz, Tshedza Pictures, Showmax
BEST ACHIEVEMENT IN ART DIRECTION - TV SOAP/TELENOVELA
Outlaws | Waldemar Coetsee, Tshedza Pictures, Showmax
BEST ACHIEVEMENT IN SCRIPTWRITING – TELENOVELA
Outlaws | Gwydion Beynon, Phathutshedzo Makwarela, Tshedza Pictures, Showmax
BEST ACHIEVEMENT IN DIRECTING - TELENOVELA
Outlaws | Tebogo Malope, Thembalethu Mfebe, Nthabi Tau, Menga Nhlabathi, Tshedza Pictures, Showmax
BEST ACHIEVEMENT IN SCRIPTWRITING – TV SOAP
Skeem Saam | Khomotjo Aphane, Myrah Molokomme, Metsa Makhwidiri, Joseph Senosi, Kelton Sinyosi, Sibusisiwe Manqele, Siphamandla Madondo, Zola Hlungwani, Peu, SABC1
BEST ACHIEVEMENT IN DIRECTING – TV SOAP
Skeem Saam | Mmoni Moabi, Percy Maboane, Ricardo Klassen, Peu, SABC1
BEST ACHIEVEMENT IN MAKE-UP AND HAIRSTYLING - FEATURE FILM
iNumber Number: Jozi Gold | Theola Booyens, Quizzical Pictures, Netflix
BEST ACHIEVEMENT IN COSTUME DESIGN – FEATURE FILM
Hans Steek die Rubicon Oor | Marné van der Burgh, Red Letter Day Pictures, kykNET
BEST ACHIEVEMENT IN PRODUCTION DESIGN – FEATURE FILM
iNumber Number: Jozi Gold | Bathoni Robinson, Quizzical Pictures, Netflix
BEST ACHIEVEMENT IN SOUND DESIGN - FEATURE FILM
Blindelings | Tim Pringle, 17 FILMS, kykNET
BEST ACHIEVEMENT IN EDITING – FEATURE FILM
Runs in the Family | Eva Du Preez, Giant Films, Netflix
BEST ACHIEVEMENT IN ORIGINAL MUSIC/ SCORE - FEATURE FILM
Runs in the Family | Charl-Johan Lingenfelder, Giant Films, Netflix
BEST ACHIEVEMENT IN AN ORIGINAL SONG - FEATURE FILM
Big Nunu's Little Heist | Zandile Patrick Nyathi, Diprente, Netflix
BEST ACHIEVEMENT IN CINEMATOGRAPHY – FEATURE FILM
iNumber Number: Jozi Gold | Tom Marais, Quizzical Pictures, Netflix
BEST ACHIEVEMENT IN SCRIPTWRITING - FEATURE FILM
The Fragile King | Tristan Holmes, The Ergo Company, Amazon Prime Video
BEST STUDENT FILM - ANIMATION
By Two | The Animation School
BEST STUDENT FILM - LIVE ACTION
Anguish | AFDA
BEST ANIMATION
Kizazi Moto Generation Fire: Herderboy | Triggerfish Animation Studios, Disney+
BEST SUPPORTING ACTRESS IN A TV SOAP
Marlee van der Merwe (Binnelanders) | Stark Films, kykNET
BEST SUPPORTING ACTOR IN A TV SOAP
Kabelo Thai (Scandal!) | Ochre Media, e.tv
BEST SUPPORTING ACTRESS IN A TELENOVELA
Mmarona Motsegoa (Redemption) | Burnt Onion Productions & Seriti Films, BET Africa
BEST SUPPORTING ACTOR IN A TELENOVELA
Mpho Sebeng (The Estate) | Clive Morris Productions, SABC3
BEST ACTRESS IN A TV SOAP
Elizabeth Serunye (Skeem Saam) | Peu, SABC1
BEST ACTOR IN A TV SOAP
Germandt Geldenhuys (Binnelanders) | Stark Films, kykNET
BEST ACTRESS IN A TELENOVELA
Zikhona Sodlaka (Gqeberha - The Empire) | Tshedza Pictures, Mzansi Magic
BEST ACTOR IN A TELENOVELA
Presley Chweneyagae (The River) |Tshedza Pictures, 1Magic
BEST TV SOAP
Skeem Saam | Peu, SABC1
BEST TELENOVELA
Outlaws | Tshedza Pictures, Showmax
BEST SUPPORTING ACTRESS IN A TV DRAMA
Natasha Sutherland (Lioness S2) | Ochre Media ADO Arena Holdings, M-Net
BEST SUPPORTING ACTOR IN A TV DRAMA
Nat Ramabulana (Fatal Seduction) | Ochre Media ADO Arena Holdings, Netflix
BEST ACTRESS IN A TV DRAMA
Shannon Esra (Lioness S2) | Ochre Media ADO Arena Holdings, M-Net
BEST ACTOR IN A TV DRAMA
Thembinkosi Mthembu (Shaka iLembe) | Bomb Shelter, Mzansi Magic
BEST TV DRAMA
Shaka iLembe | Bomb Shelter, Mzansi Magic
BEST SUPPORTING ACTRESS IN A TV COMEDY
Dorothy Anne Gould (Yoh! Christmas) | BBZEE Films, Netflix
BEST SUPPORTING ACTOR IN A TV COMEDY
Kagiso Modupe (Yoh! Christmas) | BBZEE Films, Netflix
BEST ACTRESS IN A TV COMEDY
Marion Holm (Taktiek) | Nagvlug Films, kykNET
BEST ACTOR IN A TV COMEDY
Prev Reddy (Miseducation) | Burnt Onion Productions, Netflix
BEST TV COMEDY
Yoh! Christmas | BBZEE Films, Netflix
BEST SHORT FILM
Father's Day | Bunzi Bear Pictures, The Film Festival Doctor
BEST SUPPORTING ACTRESS IN A FEATURE FILM
Jennifer Steyn (The Fragile King) | The Ergo Company, Amazon Prime Video
BEST SUPPORTING ACTOR IN A FEATURE FILM
Adrian Alper (Seconds) | Free Women Films, Amazon Prime Video
BEST ACTRESS IN A FEATURE FILM
Antoinette Louw (The Fragile King) | The Ergo Company, Amazon Prime Video
BEST ACTOR IN A FEATURE FILM
Vusi Kunene (Seconds) | Free Women Films, Amazon Prime Video
BEST ACHIEVEMENT IN DIRECTING – FEATURE FILM
The Fragile King | Tristan Holmes, The Ergo Company, Amazon Prime Video
BEST FEATURE FILM
The Fragile King | The Ergo Company, Amazon Prime Video
BEST NATURAL HISTORY AND ENVIRONMENTAL PROGRAMME
Legends of Venom: Viper | Earth Touch | National Geographic
BEST TV PRESENTER (public vote)
Laconco (Forever Thina) | Urban Brew Studios, Mzansi Magic
MOST POPULAR TV SOAP OR TELENOVELA (public vote)
Scandal! | Ochre Media, e.tv
LIFETIME ACHIEVER AWARD
Arthur Molepo
Mfundi Vundla
YOUTH ACHIEVER AWARD
Kenneth Vuyani Mbalula
OUTSTANDING PERSON WITH DISABILITY CONTRIBUTOR AWARD
Tebatso Mashishi
OUTSTANDING PROVINCIAL CONTRIBUTOR AWARD
Sizwe Shabangu
EMERGING FILMMAKER AWARD
Josh Crickmay