Screen creativity celebrated at 10th SAFTAS

The tenth South African Film and Television Awards (SAFTAS) were held on Sunday, March 20, 2016 at Gallagher Estate Johannesburg. Hosted by celebrated host and presenter Katlego Maboe and presenter and actress Minnie Dlamini this year’s theme for the awards was “Imagine”. It was fitting that Maboe would host these awards as he received a SAFTA award in 2015 and was nominated twice in the same category for best presenter this year.

Throughout the ceremony the organisers lived up to the theme “Imagine” through the artists who performed and the various inserts they showed of the SAFTAS and films that were made through the last 10 years. Opening the ceremony was a performance from hip hop artist Fifi Cooper, J Something and Katlego Maboe who collaborated on a song specifically penned for the awards.

The South African Film and Television Awards (sometimes referred to as the Golden Horns; often simply called the SAFTAs) is an annual South African awards ceremony hosted by the National Film and Video Foundation (NFVF) to honour creative excellence in the local film and television industry as assessed by the volunteer judges. The various category winners are awarded a statuette, officially called the Golden Horn, and a certificate. The awards, first presented in 2006 at the Gallagher Estate, are overseen by a committee governed by the NFVF.

The finalists, nominees, and winners are chosen by a multiphasic process of judging panels. Only South African citizens are eligible for the awards. The South African Broadcasting Corporation (SABC) is the official live broadcast partner and sponsor.

Memorable winners’ speeches
The recipients of the awards expressed their gratitude and excitement at being awarded this most prestigious award in the South African entertainment industry. Two memorable speeches by actors who won came from veterans who have been involved in many television and film projects and who won the awards for the first time. Linda Sebezo won an award for Best Supporting Actress in a Comedy and on receiving her award said, “Thank you Jesus! After 36 years in this industry I get this! Thank you my Lord! Ayikho enye Indlela (There is no other way)”. Nthati Moshesh who can currently be seen in Saints and Settlers won for Best Achievement by a Lead Actress – TV drama. She said when accepting her award, “Thank you to the executive producer of my life. Thank you Lord!”

Other big winners of the night included veteran actor Vusi Kunene who won a “Golden Horn” for Best Actor in a Lead Role (TV Soap). Fulu Mugovhani won for Best Actress in a Lead Role (Feature Film) for her role in Ayanda. Siyabonga Radebe, Maggie Benedict, Mduduzi Mabaso also took home the “Golden Horn”

The biggest surprise of the night was when SABC 1 soapie Skeem Saam was announced as the Most Popular TV Soapie voted by the public winning against other established soapies.

The heart warming moment of the entire evening was seeing celebrated actress Nomhle Nkonyeni receive the Lifetime Achievement Award. With more than 50 years in the entertainment industry and having acted in countless television and film productions it was befitting that she was recognized with an award.

In closing, Zama Mkosi Chief Executive Officer of NFVF said: “If this year is anything to go by, I can confidently say that our industry is poised for phenomenal growth and more exciting stories. For the last 10 years we’ve committed to not only invest in productions but also to grow and celebrate the people who make a life and a living in film and television production. I look forward to the next decade and I cannot wait to be constantly surprised and entertained. Thank you to everyone involved in the production of the two shows and congratulations to all the winners and nominees.”
The new catergory, Special Recognition Awards were handed to Rhulani Baloyi and the UGU Film Festival for their contribution to provincial development.

Here is a list of the winners:

TELEVISION
Best TV drama
Umlilo

Best TV comedy
ZANews: Puppet Nation

Best TV soap
Rhythm City

Best achievement by a lead actress – TV drama
Ntathi Moshesh (Saints and Sinners)

Best achievement by a lead actor – TV drama
Siyabonga Radebe (Saints and Sinners)

Best achievement by a supporting actress – TV drama
Charmaine Mtinta (Matatiele)

Best achievement by a supporting actor – TV drama
Deon Lotz (When We Were Black)

Best achievement in directing – TV drama
Rolisizwe Nikiwe and Zuko Nodada (Matatiele)

Best achievement by a lead actress – TV soap
Leeanda Reddy (Isidingo)

Best achievement by a lead actor – TV soap
Vusi Kunene (Isibaya)

Best achievement by a supporting actress – TV soap
Maggie Benedict (Ashes to Ashes)

Best achievement by a supporting actor – TV soap
Samson Khumalo (Isibaya)

Best achievement in directing – TV soap
Eric Mogale, Heather Cooke and Siyabonga Mkhize (Rhythm City)

Most popular TV soap voted by the public
Skeem Saam

Best achievement by a lead actress – TV comedy
Robyn Scott (Those Who Can’t)

Best achievement by a lead actor – TV comedy
Mandla Gaduka (Gauteng Maboneng)

Best achievement by a supporting actress –TV comedy
Linda Sebezo (Gauteng Maboneng)

Best achievement by a supporting actor – TV comedy
Bongani Madondo (Kota Life Crisis)

Best achievement in directing –TV comedy
The Directing Team (Ga Re Dumele season 4)

Best TV presenter – various genres
Katlego Maboe (Expresso)

FILM
Best feature film
Dis Ek, Anna

Best achievement by a lead actress
Fulu Mughovani (Ayanda)

Best achievement for a supporting actress
Tina Jaxa (While You Weren’t Looking)

Best Achievement by a lead actor
Mduduzi Mabaso (For Love and Broken Bones)

Best achievement for a supporting actor
Marius Weyers (Dis Ek, Anna)

Best achievement in directing
Sara Blecher (Dis Ek, Anna)

Best student film
Jabu

Lifetime achievement award
Nomhle Nkonyeni

Special recognition awards
Rhulani Baloyi
UGU Film Festival

Linda Sebezo, Best Actress in a Supporting Role – TV COMEDY

Mom Nomhle Nkonyeni, Life Time Achiever Award

Nthati Moshesh, Best Actress in Lead Role – TV DRAMA