The awards ceremony brought together industry players and prominent personalities including South Africa’s Minister of Sport, Arts, and Culture, Zizi Kodwa.
My Helena Olori
Africa’s leading entertainment company, MultiChoice Group emerged as the standout performer at the 17th South African Film and Television Awards (SAFTAs) ceremony held over the weekend, scooping a raft of awards.
The media conglomerate and Pay TV service provider won a total of 45 awards, with its popular titles, Legacy (Best Telenovela), Lavish (Best TV Drama), Gaia (Best Feature Film), and others receiving multiple awards across various categories.
Taking pride in the company’s multiple wins, Nomsa Philiso, CEO of General Entertainment, MultiChoice Group, said “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.”
(Read also: South African Singers, Lwah Ndlunkulu, Qwabe Twins, Clich, Double Awards at BIMAs 2023)
SABC followed with nine wins from its 51 nominations, while Netflix’s popular titles such as How to Ruin Christmas, Angelina, and I Am All Girls garnered a total of seven awards.
The Lifetime Achiever award was bestowed on the legendary film director, Koos Roets, and the TV icon, Derek Watts, who recently passed on.
(Read also: Nigerian-British Author, Irenosen Okojie, launches Black to the Future (BTTF) Arts Festival)
Congratulating the winners for the night, Thobela Mayinje, acting CEO of the National Film and Video Foundation (NFVF), says “You represent the best of the South African film and television industry. We are excited by all the films now showcasing in international festivals and markets.”
The awards ceremony, themed “Our Stories Flow Together”, was held at the Gallagher Convention Centre in Midrand, bringing together industry players and prominent personalities including the country’s Minister of Sport, Arts, and Culture, Zizi Kodwa.
See the complete winners’ list here.