THE HIV/Aids drama Intersexions, which looks at the chain of infection, won an astounding 11 Golden Horns in the South African Film and Television Awards.
THE DRAMA series Intersexions was the highlightTumisho Masha won best actor in a television soapieTumisho Masha won best actor in a television soapie of this year’s South African Film and Television Awards (Saftas), walking away with a large haul of 11 Golden Horns on 10 March.
With 23 nominations, the SABC1 series broke the record of most nominated in the history of the Saftas. The awards were handed out at a ceremony at Gallagher Estate in Midrand on 10 March. The who’s who of showbiz was there – all dressed to kill.
Intersexions won best television drama series, and Rolie Nikiwe walked away with best director of a television drama series for episodes four and 20.
The best actor in a drama title went home with Siyabonga Radebe, who plays Muzi in the show. The actor and stand-up comedian said the award was dedicated to his mother for always being there for him and always supporting him.
The proud mother was clearly surprised when he asked her to stand so that the cheering crowd could see her.
Lungelo Dladla, who plays Buhle, was named best actress in a television drama series. The best writing team was won by Intersexions’ Brent Quinn, Linda Bere and team.
Best drama
Among its other awards were best cinematographer; best editor of television series; best production design; best make-up and hairstylist, taken by Smartie Olifant; and best sound design and best music composition, for Janno Muller and Tim Pringle.
Taking the idea of six degrees of separation, the drama looks at the HIV/Aids infection chain in society through the interconnectedness of people’s sexual networks.Humble Mhlongo recieved a lifetime achievement awardHumble Mhlongo recieved a lifetime achievement award
The new kid on the block, Mnet’s The Wild, scooped four awards. Tumisho Masha, who is no stranger to audiences, walked away with best actor in a television soapie. Masha plays Modise Tladi in the show.
Other categories in which The Wild won were best art direction of a television soapie, which was taken by Merlene Ming; best technical team and best director of a television soapie, taken by Alex Yazbek, Johnny Barbuzano, Krijay Govender and Gert van Niekerk.
Following closely on its heels was SABC3’s Isidingo, with three awards. The popular series walked away with the best television soapie through public votes, beating all other local soapie productions.
Isidingo’s Maggie, whose real name is Karin van Der Laag, won best actress in a television soapie, while its writing team were awarded the best writers in the soapie category.
Best actress
Best actress in a feature film category was not available this year, apparently because the 10 films that made it through filtration were predominantly male-driven stories and only two actresses were listed as lead actress, one of whom was not eligible for a Safta as she was not South African.
Lifetime achievement awards went to Roberta Durrant, Athol Fugard and Humble Mhlongo. In his acceptance speech, Mhlongo thanked people who had made sure that they got jobs to prove themselves.
Speaking of the life achievement awards, Zama Mkosi, the chief executive of the National Film and Video Foundation, said they were awarded to people who had been instrumental in giving insight in different areas of the local film and television industry.
“By awarding the best performance in our local film and television, we seek to enhance the talent thatRolie Nikiwe walked away with best director of a television dramaRolie Nikiwe walked away with best director of a television drama exists, celebrate creativity and indeed encourage excellence,” she said. The awards were a true representation of the growth of South Africa’s film and television industry.
Mmabatho Ramagoshi, the chairman of the foundation’s council, announced a budget of R2,5-million that would target up-and-coming filmmakers each year for the next three years.
“We urge all companies to start hiring people with disabilities, as we will be looking at that when adjudicating your application. We are also engaging the broadcasters to ensure that all these stories that we are supporting find their way into the small screens in our homes,” she said.
The aim of the Saftas is to celebrate, honour and promote the creativity, quality and excellence of South African film and television talent, and encourage entrepreneurship and the development of new talent in the industry. The full list of winners is available on the National Film and Video Foundation website.
