MultiChoice group marked a triumphant evening at this year's South African Film and Television Awards (SAFTAs 17) held at the Gallagher Convention Centre. Echoing the group’s commitment to celebrating African stories and talent, MultiChoice Group dominated both evenings by scooping a total of 45 awards.
Among the highlights, Lavish was recognised as the Best TV Drama, and Gaia secured its spot with the Best Feature Film Award while Legacy took home the Best Telenovela Award. For her role in the popular Showmax comedy Tali's Joburg Diary, Kate Normington won her second SAFTA, making the total of Showmax wins 10. James Bothwick took his third SAFTA as best actor in a comedy for the character Ferdie in Hotel,
Host for the night and the face of Big Brother Mzansi Lawrence Maleka exemplified his exceptional talent by winning Best Actor in a Telenovela for his role as Zolani in The River.
Nomsa Philiso, CEO: General Entertainment for the MultiChoice Group, celebrated the victories and congratulated all the winners, saying, "Tonight, more than ever, the MultiChoice group and all our beloved titles and brands reaffirmed our position as the true home of entertainment, our commitment to providing a stage for African storytellers to shine has never been stronger. Their narratives, their passion, and their talent are what drive us to excel."
In a poignant moment of the evening, Derek Watts, a stalwart in South African television and investigative journalism, was honoured with the Lifetime Achiever Award, posthumously. Watts' impactful 35-year tenure on M-Net’s Carte Blanche exemplifies the profound influence of media on creating a more informed and just society.
All the big winners!
Wins across MultiChoice Group on the second night include:
- Best Supporting Actor in a Telenovela: Thulani Mtsweni, Gomora
- Best Actor in a Telenovela: Lawrence Maleka, The River
- Best Supporting Actor in a Telenovela: Deli Malinga, Redemption
- Best Supporting Actress in a TV comedy: Kate Normington, Tali’s Joburg Diary
- Best TV Drama: Lavish
- Best Supporting Actress in a TV Soap: Odelle De Wet, Binnelanders
- Best Supporting Actor in a TV Soap: Charlie Bouguenon, Binnelanders
- Best Actress in a TV Soap: Cindy Swanepoel, Binnelanders
- Best Actor in a TV Comedy: James Borthwick, Hotel Season 5
- Best Actor in a Feature Film: Jarrid Geduld, Indemnity
- Best Achievement in Directing - Feature Film: Gaia
- Best Feature Film: Gaia
- Best Actress in a Telenovela: Michelle Botes, Legacy
- Best Telenovela: Legacy
- Best TV Presenter – Tshegofatso Mosupye (Public Vote)
Additional wins at the SAFTAs Craft Awards on Friday 29 September includes Best Youth Programme for Trend Season 1, Best International Format for Survivor South Africa: Return of the Outcasts, and more.
By consistently shining the spotlight on local talent and narratives, the MultiChoice group solidifies its standing as the core of South African entertainment, connecting stories and audiences.
The full list of MultiChoice winners:
Craft Awards:
- Best Entertainment Programme: Miss South Africa 2022 Live Finale
- Best Variety Show: Sunday Sexy Love
- Best Achievement in Scriptwriting – Telenovela: DiepCity season 2
- Best Achievement in Wardrobe - TV Drama: Lavish
- Best Youth Programme: Trend season 1
- Best Achievement in Sound - TV Comedy: Hotel season 5
- Best Achievement in Art Direction - TV Comedy: Hotel season 5
- Best Achievement in Cinematography - TV Comedy: Hotel season 5
- Best Achievement in Sound - TV Soap/Telenovela: Suidooster
- Best Achievement in Editing - TV/Soap or Telenovela: Diepe Waters
- Best Achievement in Directing - Soap: Erina Niemand, Shirley Ellis, Romano Gorlei and Richard September for Suidooster
- Best Achievement in Original Music/Score - Feature Film: Pierre-Henri Wicomb for Gaia
- Best Achievement in Cinematography – Feature Film: Jorrie van der Walt for Gaia
- Best Current Affairs Programme: Mining Takedown
- Best Natural History and Environmental: Crocodiles Revealed
- Best Children’s Programme: NickMusic Africa
- Best International Format: Survivor South Africa: Return of the Outcasts
- Best Educational Programme: MTVShuga: What Makes a Man
- Best Achievement in Make-Up and Hairstyling - TV Drama: Desert Rose
- Best Achievement in Art Direction - TV Soap/Telenovela: Legacy
- Best Lifestyle Programme: Homegrown tastes South Africa season 1
- Best Structured Soapie Reality Show: Life with Kelly Khumalo season 3
- Best Structured Or Docu-Reality Show: Sex in Afrikaans
- Best Achievement in Wardrobe – TV Comedy: Tali's Joburg Diary
- Best Achievement in Scriptwriting - TV Comedy: Julia Anastasopoulos, Ari Kruger, Gilli Apter, and Daniel Zimbler for Tali's Joburg Diary
- Best Achievement in Directing - TV Comedy: Ari Kruger for Tali's Joburg Diary
- Best Achievement in Sound - TV Drama: Jozua Loots for Donkerbos
- Best Achievement in Cinematography - TV Drama: Willie Nel for Blood Psalms
- Best Achievement in Directing - TV Drama: Nico Scheepers for Donkerbos
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