The 14th annual South African Film and Television Awards (Saftas) nominees were announced at the Mall of Africa on Friday morning.
Hosted under the custodianship of the National Film and Video Foundation (NFVF) the awards seek to honour and celebrate South Africa’s local film and television talent, under the theme #LoveSATalent.
The NFVF joined forces with 205 industry experts from across the country to form a judging committee that spent over two months deliberating and rounding off the final nominees of the 70 categories, which were all then later audited by Nexia SAB&T.
Leading this year’s nominations is the popular telenovela The River, which raked in 15 nominations across numerous categories.
Close on its heels was the soapie Isibaya, the prison drama Lockdown S4 and the feature film Fiela se Kind who all clinched 11 nominations each, while the drama series The Republic rounded things off with 10 nominations.
"The love for SA Talent is certainly in the air and I would like to congratulate all our SAFTAs 14 nominees for telling authentic stories that resonate and connect with the people of South Africa. As the NFVF we couldn’t be prouder of the immense contribution that these women and men make to the local film and television industry, not forgetting the broadcasters that provide the platforms for these stories to come alive," said Makhosazana Khanyile, NFVF CEO.
This year, the power to decide who wins the Best TV Presenter and the Most Popular Soap/Telenovela will remain with the South African audience through the use of the public vote.
To vote for their favourite in these two categories, they will need to dial *120*45884# and follow the prompts on their screens. One lucky voting viewer will stand a chance to win fuel to the value of R4000 a month for 12 months powered by Total SA. The voting lines go live in the week of 17 February and closes on 28 March 2020.
TO VOTE FOR BEST TV PRESENTER
Thembisa Mdoda - 2 Families and A Wedding Dress (Code 1)
Anele Mdoda - Celebrity Game Night S1(Code 2)
Graeme Richards - Expresso Morning Show (Code 3)
Entle Bizane - Hectic on 3 (Code 4)
Waldimar Pelser - KN Verslag in Gesprek (Code 5)
Sthembiso Dliwayo - Mi Kasi Su Kasi (Code 6)
Emo Adams - Noot vir Noot S44 (Code 7)
Masechaba Ndlovu - The Big Secret Season 2 (Code 8)
Christopher Jaftha - The Longest Date (Code 9)
TO VOTE FOR MOST POPULAR TV SOAP/TELENOVELA
Arendsvlei (Code 1)
Binnelanders (Code 2)
Getroud Met Rugby (Code 3)
Giyani - Land of Blood (Code 4)
Imbewu (Code 5)
Isibaya (Code 6)
iSipho The Gift (Code 7)
Isithembiso (Code 8)
Muvhango (Code 9)
Rhythm City (Code 10)
Scandal! (Code 11)
Suidooster (Code 12)
The River (Code 13)
The Throne (Code 14)
The Queen (Code 15)
Uzalo (Code 16)
The 14th Saftas will be hosted at Johannesburg’s Sandton Convention Centre over two-nights: Craft Awards on Friday, 27 March and the Main Awards on Saturday, 28 March – which will be broadcast live on television.
Here’s an abbreviated 2020 Saftas nominees list:
TELEVISION
TELENOVELA
Best Achievement in Directing – Telenovela
Arendsvlei - Denny Miller, Roxanne Blaise, Mandilakhe Yengo and Darryl Fuchs
Isibaya - Yamakela Phiwokuhle Mkhanzi, Lehlogonolo Moropane and Sthembiso Mathenjwa
Isithembiso - Zeno Petersen, Itumeleng Mohlabane and Lufuno Nekhabambe
The River - Ferry Jele, Catharine Cooke, Zolani Phakade and Johnny Barbuzano
Best Telenovela
Arendsvlei
Isibaya
The River
Best Actress – Telenovela
Crystal Donna Roberts, Arendsvlei
Leleti Khanyile, Imbewu
Sindi Dlathu, The River
Best Actor – Telenovela
Roberto Kyle Meyer, Arendsvlei
Hamilton Dhlamini, Isithembiso
Presley Chweneyagae, The River
Best Supporting Actress- Telenovela
Lerato Mvelase, Isibaya
Linda Sebezo, Isibaya
Mary-Anne Barlow, The River
Best Supporting Actor- Telenovela
Aubrey Poo, Isibaya
Lawrence Maleka, The River
Loyiso MacDonald, The Queen
TV SOAP
Best Achievement in Directing - TV Soap
Binnelanders - Danie Joubert
Rhythm City - Eric Mogale
Scandal! - Chris Beasley, Sanele Zulu,Tsakani Mongwe and Sphamandla Ngcobo
Best TV Soap
Rhythm City
Scandal!
Suidooster
Best Actress - TV Soap
Mapula Mafole, Rhythm City
Denise Newman, Suidooster
Baby Cele Maloka, Uzalo
Best Actor - TV Soap
Nathaniel Ramabulana, Muvhango
Jamie Bartlett, Rhythm City
Bongile Mantsai, Scandal!
Best Supporting Actress - TV Soap
Xolile Tshabalala, Muvhango
Petronella Tshuma, Rhythm City
Kgomotso Christopher, Scandal!
Best Supporting Actor - TV Soap
Ben Kruger, Binnelanders
Mncedisi Shabangu, Rhythm City
Ivan Abrahams, Suidooster
TV DRAMA
Best Achievement in Directing - TV Drama
Dwaalster - Jaco Bouwer
Lockdown Season 4 - Mandla Ngcongwane
The Republic - Johnny Barbuzano and Rea Rangaka
Best TV Drama
Lockdown Season 4
Spreeus
The Republic
Best Actress - TV Drama
Dawn King, Lockdown Season 4
Zola Nombona, Lockdown Season 4
Florence Masebe, The Republic
Best Actor -TV Drama
Wiseman Mncube, eHostela
Robert Hobbs, The Girl From St Agnes
Warren Masemola, The Republic
Best Supporting Actress - TV Drama
Brenda Ngxoli, iThemba
Lorcia Cooper, Lockdown Season 4
Pamela Nomvete, Lockdown Season 4
Best Supporting Actor - TV Drama
Deon Lotz , Die Byl 2
Hlomla Dandala, The Republic
Seputla Sebogodi, The Republic
Best Children’s Programme
Disney Cookabout
Hectic on 3
Jabu's Jungle
Words and Numbers Series 9
Best Competition Reality Show
Kokkedoor
Nedbank Ke Yona Team Search 2019
Ultimate Braai Master
Ultimate House Vibe
Best Structured or Docu-reality Show
Durban Beach Rescue season 2
Living The Dream With Somizi Season 4
The Big Secret Season 2
Best International Format Show
Celebrity Game Night S1
Survivor SA: Island of Secrets
YO! MTV RAPS (SA): Season 1
Best Factual & Educational Programme
Made in Africa: The Ties That Bind Us
Op Seer Se Spoor - Episode 3 "Netta"
Yobe S2
Best Current Affairs Programme
Carte Blanche HD, TX 14 JULY 2019
Dying for Diamonds
Work Hazards
Best Variety Show
Die Ware Naarheid
Gospel Classics
Mooi
Best Youth Programme
MTV Shuga Down South 2
MTV Shuga Down South 2 - In Real Life
Teenagers on a mission - Game Ranging
Best Entertainment Programme
Emo 30 Jaar In Musiek
Live Amp
Noot vir Noot S44
Best Lifestyle Programme
Dit Proe Soos Huis
Elders: Japan
Klankbord Season 1
Best Made for TV Movie
Droomman
Stillenag
TIRO
FILM
Best Short Film
Die Begrafnis
Joko Ya Hao
The Letter Reader
Best Achievement in Directing – Documentary Feature
Buddha in Africa - Nicole Schafer
Dying for Gold - Catherine Meyburgh and Richard Pakleppa
The Fun's Not Over - The James Phillips Story - Michael Cross
Best Documentary Feature
Buddha in Africa - Thinking Strings Media
Dying for Gold - Breathe Films
Sound of Masks - Lionfish Productions
The Fun's Not Over - The James Phillips Story - Rogue Productions
Best Achievement in Directing - Feature Film
Fiela se Kind - Brett Michael Innes
Knuckle City- Jahmil X.T. Qubeka
Poppie Nongena - Christiaan Olwagen
Best Actress - Feature Film
Sandra Prinsloo, Die Seemeeu
Zenobia Kloppers, Fiela se Kind
Clementine Mosimane, Poppie Nongena
Best Actor – Feature Film
Albert Bakker, Die Seemeeu
Johannes Stephanus Bam, Die Verhaal van Racheltjie de Beer
Bongile Mantsai , Knuckle City
Best Supporting Actress - Feature Film
Cintaine Schutte, Die Seemeeu
Anna Martha van der Merwe, Poppie Nongena
Elize Dunster, Skemerson (Sun, Cry, Moon)
Best Supporting Actor - Feature Film
Wayne van Rooyen, Fiela se Kind
Patrick Ndlovu, Knuckle City
Thembekile Komani, Knuckle City
Best Feature Film
Die Verhaal van Racheltjie de Beer
Fiela se Kind
Poppie Nongena