WeeklySA_AdminSTORYTELLING: Leading the pack, M-Net and MultiChoice bagged 32 Golden Horns, thanks to their combined channels on DStv…
By Gugu Sibiya
Glitz and glam characterised the 18th edition of the South African Film and Television Awards (SAFTAs) held at Gallagher Convention Centre in Midrand, Johannesburg recently.
Actors are custodians of our culture, bridging the old and the new. They tell stories that capture moments of our lives. Through their varied characters, bits of history sip through, galvanising young people to delve more in the past that can only inform their future. Acknowledging their contribution as story tellers and educators is what the SAFTAs are about.
The two-night affair was marked by big wins from different channels. Leading the pack was M-Net and MultiChoice which – thanks to their combined channels on DStv – bagged 32 Golden Horns. Hot on their heels was Netflix SA, which snatched 19 of the best. Multi-Choice’s streamer Showmax netted 10 awards. The fact that its drama series was thrust into oblivion, raised eyebrows.
Amazon Prime Video’s The Fragile King caught many people’s attention when it waltzed away with seven SAFTA, one of which is for the Best Feature Film.
A bitter sweet moment for the film industry since Amazon Studio pulled out of South Africa’s original productions. The public broadcaster, SABC, grabbed 12 wins with etv trailing behind with four awards.
Generating the most excitement with their victory, the popular drama series Shaka iLembe, carted away 12 awards. Hot on its heels was Yoh! Christmas and Outlaws, which both walked away with eight trophies respectively.
For the second consecutive year, drama series Scandal wore the crown for “The Most Popular Soapie Award”, a nod which came from the public vote.
In the drama series category, Shaka iLembe, Outlaws telenovela and comedy series Yoh! Christmas were the biggest winners this year. Skeem Saam snatched “Best TV Soapie Award”.
Best Documentary Award went to !Aitsa. On a sad but celebratory note, the “Best Supporting Actor” was won by the late Mpho Sebeng for his role in the telenovela Estate.
Lifetime Achiever Awards went to Mfundi Vundla, the brains behind Generations. Arthur Molepo, actor and sculptor, was the other deserving recipient.
