The South African Film and TV Awards (Saftas) never fail to showcase the best local shows of the year. At the 13th award ceremony, which took place on 2 March, more quality series and films were highlighted – and seven of these are now on Showmax! Here’s what to watch.
1. The River
The River was the most awarded production overall. Its awards included Best Telenovela and Most Popular TV Soap/Telenovela. A number of its cast and crew also took home awards: Moshidi Motshegwa won Best Actress – Telenovela, Presley Chweneyagae won Best Actor – Telenovela, Lawrence Maleka won Best Supporting Actor – Telenovela, and the directing team won Best Achievement in Directing – Telenovela.
2. Ring of Lies
This intriguing telenovela started off with a young boxer, Neo, whose dreams of becoming a champion start to come true when he is scouted by a well-known manager. But by the end of season two, the storyline had progressed to a world of lies and betrayal. Vele Manenje won Best Supporting Actress – Telenovela. Season two is not available on Showmax yet, but you can catch up on season one in the meantime.
3. Isibaya
Now in its sixth season, the series about two young lovers from opposing families continues to rake in the awards. Gcina Mkhize won Best Supporting Actress – TV Soap and Abdul Khoza won Best Supporting Actor – TV Soap. It also won for Best Achievement in Directing – TV Soap. You can catch seasons 1–5 on Showmax.
4. Lockdown
You can catch seasons 1–3 of South Africa’s award-winning first prison drama on Showmax. It won Best TV Drama and two of its stars also took home awards: Dawn Thandeka King won Best Actress – TV Drama and Lorcia Cooper won Best Supporting Actress – TV Drama.
5. Is’thunzi
Follow Winnie and her friends through two seasons of fun and drama on Showmax. S’dumo Mtshali, who plays Mandla, won Best Supporting Actor – TV Drama.
6. Tali’s Wedding Diary
Showmax’s first original series was the most nominated comedy at the 2019 SAFTAs. It scored Best TV Comedy, Best Actress – TV Comedy (Julia Anastasopoulos) and Best Achievement in Directing – TV Comedy. The mockumentary follows the self-obsessed Tali, a Joburg princess who’s moved to Cape Town and is planning her wedding to Darren.
7. Elke Skewe Pot
The ladies in this award-winning comedy about a matchmaking company are always entertaining, but it was one of the male stars who took home an award this year. Hannes Brummer, who plays, Benny Botha, won Best Actor – TV Comedy.
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