MultiChoice Group Scoops 45 Top SAFTA Awards

Multichoice leads at SAFTAs 17 Craft Awards.

Multiple Wins Across Various Categories Celebrate the Best in South African film and television production

MultiChoice Group scoops 45 top awards at SAFTAs 17!

Legacy, Lavish, Gaia and Binnelanders among the titles honoured

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. The awards were broadcast live on Mzansi Magic (DStv Channel 161).

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 & 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 International Format: Survivor South Africa: Return of the Outcasts
Best Achievement in Make-Up and Hairstyling – TV Drama: Desert Rose
Best Achievement in Art Direction – TV Soap/Telenovela: Legacy
Best Achievement in Sound – TV drama (Donkerbos) Jozua loots
Best Achievement in Directing – TV Drama (Donkerbos) Nico Scheepers