SAFTA Unveils Full List of Nominees for 19th Annual Award

The National Film and Video Foundation has announced the nominees for the 19th Annual South African Film and Television Awards (SAFTAs). The awards ceremony is scheduled for 13 and 14 March 2026.

“These nominations show the incredible work being made by storytellers across our industry. We’re proud to collaborate with creative teams who bring South African stories to life with such commitment,” said Nomsa Philiso, Director: Content and General Entertainment in English and Portuguese Africa, for the MultiChoice Group.

Best Telenovela

• Inimba
• iThonga

Most Popular TV Soap or Telenovela (Public Vote)

• Champions
• Genesis
• Gqeberha: The Empire
• Inimba
• iThonga

Nefliwe Sibiya : Instagram

Performance Categories

Best Actor in a Telenovela

• Bonko Khoza – iThonga
• Sello Maake ka-Ncube – Champions

Best Actress in a Telenovela

• Nelisiwe Sibiya – iThonga

Best Supporting Actor

• Anele Matoti – Gqeberha: The Empire

Best Supporting Actress

• Zenande Mfenyana – Inimba
• Zodwa Nkosi – iThonga

Source: Instagram

Comedy Categories 

• 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

Television Drama Categories

• Best Actor in a TV Drama: Presley Chweneyagae – Cobrizi
• Best TV Drama: Reyka Season 2
• Recognition for directing and writing: White Lies

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Reality and Entertainment Programming

Best Competition Reality Show

• The Catch

Best Structured or Docu-Reality Show

• Umkhonto Ogwazekhaya

Best Entertainment Programme

• Her Story Season 2
• Yash’ingoma Season 3

Documentary Categories

• Best Documentary: Chasing the Sun 2
• Additional recognition in editing and cinematography

Children’s Programming

• Best Children’s Programme: Let’s Play: Family Fitness Mornings

Best TV Presenter (Public Vote)

• Wright Ngubeni – Umkhonto Ogwazekhaya
• Stacey Holland – Let’s Play: Family Fitness Mornings

Source : Instagram

Craft Categories

Recognizing technical and creative excellence in areas such as:

• Editing
• Cinematography
• Original Score
• Wardrobe
• Sound

Key productions nominated include Genesis, Inimba, Champions, iThonga.

Feature Film Categories

• The Fix – nominations in technical and creative categories (original song, cinematography, production design)
• The Butcher’s Soul – nominations in technical and creative categories

The 19th SAFTAs nominations shows competition across all genres is growing strong.