SA Shows Steal the Spotlight as SAFTAs Announce 19th Annual Nominees

The South African Film and Television Awards have officially announced the nominations for the 19th annual awards, and Mzansi’s small-screen favourites are leading the charge

After being initially scheduled for October 2025, last year’s ceremony was rescheduled to March 2026 due to unforeseen delays. Now, the spotlight is firmly back on the productions, performers and creative teams shaping South Africa’s television landscape.

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Leading the pack is How to Ruin Love Season 1 by Burnt Onion Productions, which scored an impressive 11 nominations, making it the most nominated title this year. The series earned acting nods for Sivenathi Mabuya-Bukani for Best Actress in a TV Comedy, Thabo Malema for Best Supporting Actor in a TV Comedy, and Shoki Mmola for Best Supporting Actress in a TV Comedy.

Beyond performance categories, How to Ruin Love received nominations for:

Best Achievement in Make-Up and Hairstyling – TV Comedy

Best Achievement in Wardrobe – TV Comedy

Best Achievement in Sound – TV Comedy

Best Achievement in Art Direction – TV Comedy

Best Achievement in Editing – TV Comedy

Best Achievement in Scriptwriting – TV Comedy

Best Achievement in Cinematography – TV Comedy

Best Achievement in Directing – TV Comedy

Production powerhouse Tshedza Pictures emerged as the most nominated production house overall, with 14 nominations across multiple projects including Champions, Youngins, Ithonga and Gqeberha – The Empire. Their nominations include:

Best Achievement in Editing – Telenovela (for Champions and Youngins)

Best Achievement in Original Music/Score – Telenovela (for Champions and Youngins)

Best Achievement in an Original Song – Telenovela (for Ithonga)

Best Achievement in Sound – TV Soap/Telenovela (for Ithonga and Youngins)

Best Achievement in Cinematography – Telenovela (for Champions and Ithonga)

Best Achievement in Directing – Telenovela (for Youngins)

Best Supporting Actress in a Telenovela – Zodwa Nkosi (Ithonga)

Best Supporting Actor in a Telenovela – Anele Matoti (Gqeberha – The Empire)

Best Actress in a Telenovela – Nelisiwe Sibiya (Ithonga)

Best Actor in a Telenovela – Bonko Khoza (Ithonga) and Sello Maake Ka-Ncube (Champions)

Best TV Drama – Presley Chweneyagae (Cobrizi)

Best Telenovela – Ithonga and Youngins

Most Popular TV Soap or Telenovela (Public Vote) – Champions, Gqeberha – The Empire and Ithonga

Mzansi Magic’s viewer favourite Inimba also received multiple nods, including:

Best Achievement in Art Direction – TV Soap/Telenovela
Best Achievement in Scriptwriting – Telenovela

Best Telenovela

Most Popular TV Soap or Telenovela (Public Vote)

Best Supporting Actress in a Telenovela – Zenande Mfenyana

Mince Jou Hare followed closely behind with nine nominations:

Best Achievement in Make-Up and Hairstyling – TV Comedy
Best Achievement in Wardrobe – TV Comedy

Best Achievement in Sound – TV Comedy

Best Achievement in Art Direction – TV Comedy

Best Achievement in Editing – TV Comedy

Best Achievement in Scriptwriting – TV Comedy

Best Achievement in Cinematography – TV Comedy

Best Achievement in Directing – TV Comedy

Best TV Comedy

Veteran actor Sello Maake Ka-Ncube received two individual nominations:

Best Supporting Actor in a TV Soap for Skeem Saam

Best Actor in a Telenovela for Champions

South African Broadcasting Corporation’s SABC 1 hit Skeem Saam earned nominations for:

Best Achievement in Scriptwriting – TV Soap

Best TV Soap

Most Popular TV Soap or Telenovela (Public Vote)

Best Supporting Actress in a TV Soap – Vele Manenje

Meanwhile, Showmax’s hit telenovela Youngins secured seven nominations:

Best Achievement in Editing – Telenovela
Best Achievement in Original Music/Score – Telenovela

Best Achievement in Sound – TV Soap/Telenovela

Best Achievement in Directing – Telenovela

Best Telenovela

Most Popular TV Soap or Telenovela (Public Vote)

From gripping dramas to binge-worthy comedies, this year’s nominations reflect the depth of storytelling and creative excellence coming out of South Africa. One thing is clear, local productions are not just participating, they are dominating the conversation.