MultiChoice Takes 170 Nominations at the 16th Annual SAFTAs

Leading local and international entertainment company, Multichoice Group, has once again shown why investing in local content is a worthwhile endeavour, and as Africa’s most loved storyteller has secured over 170 nominations from all categories of the 16th South African Film and Television Awards (SAFTAs). 158 of the MultiChoice nominees are available to stream on Showmax, with the rest coming soon.

The SAFTAs nominees launch kicked off virtually on 14 July with the announcement being broadcast across all their digital platforms. This year’s theme, “Frame the Future”, is an ode to the creativity, innovation and resilience of our local industry.

Showmax Originals have been nominated for 52 SAFTAs, including the key categories of Best Telenovela (The Wife), TV Drama (DAM), TV Comedy (Tali’s Baby Diary), Feature Film (Glasshouse), Made For TV Documentary (Devilsdorp), and Made For TV Movie (Boxing Day).   

Congratulations to all our nominees. Paying Showmax subscribers grew by 68% in our last financial year, outpacing the market, largely driven by rising demand for our local content, which keeps getting better and better. The SAFTA nominations affirm our vision to be Africa’s most loved storyteller online.

Yolisa Phahle, CEO: General Entertainment and Connected Video, MultiChoice Group

While 1Magic’s The River is the most nominated telenovela once again, with 11 nominations, it’s up against two newcomers for Best Telenovela. Showmax’s The Wife and Mzansi Magic’s DiepCity both have 10 nominations, with  Bonko Khoza, Abdul Khoza and Zikhona Sodlaka receiving nominations for Best Actor, Best Supporting Actor and Best Supporting Actress respectively for The Wife, and DiepCity’s Obed Baloyi up for Best Supporting Actor. Proving once again that Multichoice is the home of the best telenovelas.

MultiChoice also has all the nominees in the Best TV Drama category: Showmax’s DAM, kykNET’s 4 Mure and Slot, and M-Net’s Reyka.

DStv similarly has all the nominees in Best Structured Reality Show (Mzansi Magic’s Pastor Wants A Wife and uThando Nes’thembu, BET Africa’s The Unexpected: DJ Zinhle) and Best Lifestyle Programme (VIA’s Jan, kykNET’s Elders: Namibië and Die Broer Toer).

DAM, kykNET’s Suidooster, and Devilsdorp are the most nominated drama, soapie and documentary, with 11, 10 and 5 nominations respectively.

DAM, Tali’s Baby Diary and The River are in joint second place overall, with 11 nominations, followed by Suidooster, The Wife and DiepCity in joint third place, with 10, while the kykNET mockumentary G.I.L. is in joint fourth place, with nine.

The SAFTAs were established to celebrate, promote and highlight the excellence of local talent and encourage growth of the talent within the South African film and television industry.