It's SAFTA season! The glittering local awards show honouring the best in South African film and television is coming your way in September. The nominees were announced this month and several of M-Net's top shows have received a nod or two. Check it out below and if you missed any of them, most are now available to stream on Showmax.
My Name is Reeva
This three-part docuseries delves into the life of Reeva Steenkamp and the events that led up to her death. It features interviews with Reeva's parents, Barry and June Steenkamp, as well as close friends. It has been nominated for Best Achievement in Editing (Documentary).
Stream My Name is Reeva on Showmax.
Girl, Taken
Another hard-hitting documentary, Girl, Taken follows the incredible story of a kidnapped baby who is reunited with her family 17 years later when she attends a new school and befriends a girl who turns out to be her sister. It's been nominated for Best Documentary Feature and Best Achievement in Directing (Documentary).
Stream Girl, Taken on Showmax.
Strangers You Know
This hard-hitting crime docuseries has been nominated for Best Factual Programme. The nominated episode featuring the shocking case of Anene Booysen touched many viewers. One of the series story producers, Trish Malone, says: “With our series, we try to balance it between the police and prosecutors who drove finding the perpetrator, and the families who are left to pick up the pieces.”
Stream Strangers You Know on Showmax.
Carte Blanche
The stalwart mainstay of Sunday night television is still working hard to make sure you see and know it all. It continues to investigate all manner of gripping stories in a bid to expose ugly lies and corruption but always finds time for uplifting fare too. Now in its 35th year, the SAFTA-winning investigative journalism show has been nominated again this year, with MacFarlane Moleli receiving a nomination for Best TV Presenter.
Watch Carte Blanche on Sundays at 19:00 on M-Net.
My Kitchen Rules South Africa season 4
Judges David Higs and J'Something returned for the fourth season, inviting the audience into the homes of ten passionate teams of home cooks. Once the competition hit the challenge phase, the foodie action moved to the Garden Route delighting audiences with burgers in Victoria Bay, food stall frenzy in Sedgefield, wine at the Francois Ferreira Academy, and oysters in Knysna. This season has been nominated for Best International Format.
Stream My Kitchen Rules SA season 4 on Showmax.
MasterChef South Africa season 4
In the same category is another food competition. MasterChef South Africa returned for an emotional fourth season, introducing new judges in the form of Zola Nene, Gregory Czarnecki, and Justine Drake. With incredible challenges, renowned guest chefs, and a stunning trip to Paternoster, it was a welcome return to the format.
Survivor South Africa: Return of the Outcasts
That's right, M-Net has dominated the Best International Format. This category has only three nominees and the third one goes to the ninth season of the popular reality show. Taking place on the Sunshine Coast, it gave former castaways another shot at the title. And what a shot it was! It featured tribal swaps, a cross-tribal idol, punishing challenges, excellent rewards, and all the usual crazy antics, high stakes, and backstabbing we've come to expect from the show. Nico Panagio has also been nominated, for Best TV Presenter.
Stream Survivor SA: Return of the Outcasts on Showmax.
Desert Rose
On the scripted drama front, Desert Rose has been nominated for Best Achievement in Makeup and Hairstyling (TV Drama), Wardrobe (TV Drama), and Directing (TV Drama). Set in the Namaqualand Desert, the series follows the Greyling siblings as they try to deal with the drama and debt incurred by their absent father.
Stream Desert Rose on Showmax.
Recipes for Love and Murder
Murder and mystery were on the menu for this show based on the book series by Sally Andrew. It follows Tannie Maria in her Karoo home as she prepares delectable dishes, doles out recipes and advice in her regular "Agony Aunt" column, and tries to solve a local murder. Jennifer Steyn, who plays Tannie Maria's editor, has been nominated for Best Supporting Actress (TV Drama). The series has also been nominated for Best Editing (TV Drama) and Best Directing (TV Drama).
Stream Recipes for Love and Murder on Showmax.
Legacy
It's not just Survivor that was full of backstabbing. This telenovela was all about the drama, delivering plot twists, extravagant fashion, and characters that kept you coming back for more. It's been nominated for a whopping twelve SAFTAs. In the TV Soap/Telenovela category, these are:
- Best Telenovela
- Most Popular TV Soap/Telenovela
- Makeup and Hairstyling
- Wardrobe
- Sound
- Editing
- Original Score
- Art Direction
- Scriptwriting
- Best Actress (Kgomotso Christopher and Michelle Botes)
- Best Actor (Dawid Minaar)
The SAFTAs will be held on 29 and 30 September, with the main awards ceremony broadcast live on Saturday 30 September on Mzansi Magic channel 161. Best TV Presenter and Most Popular TV Soap or Telenovela are up for public vote. Check it out below and have your say.
Join the conversation on social media using #SAFTAs.