THE 8th edition of the South African Film and Television Awards on Saturday was a star-studded red-carpet affair, with Jahmil X.T Qubeka’s controversial movie, Of Good Report, cleaning up with seven Golden Horns.
Other big winners at the Gallagher Convention Centre were Mzansi Magic’s telenovela-turned-soapie Isibaya and SABC3’s Intersexions: Season 2, with both taking home four honours.
The posh, sit-down affair, which was screened live on SABC3, kicked off with mesmerising performances from opera singer Pretty Yende and Ishmael.
Other artists to grace the stage include Micasa and Professor.
Hosts of the night, comedians Alan Committie and Tumi Morake, were a hoot from start to finish, taking digs at the SABC and how one can get lost in those underground corridors and bemoaning how popcorn and Coke can cost more than the price of movie tickets.
After a quick change into a leopard-print leotard and a red vest, Committee perfromed a dance on stage but, alas, forgot his rhythm backstage.
Looking gorgeous in all three of her gown changes, Morake joked that she felt like a stuffed sausage underneath.
The ZA News team were a riot on stage. They had the audience in stitches with their send-ups of President Jacob Zuma as well as Mamphela Ramphele and her political party, AgangSA.
Another ZA News skit that went down well with guests was their puppet versions of Lady Gaga and Charlize Theron presenting one of the categories.
Lady Gaga sent a shout out to South America and her little monsters, with Charlize correcting her about it being South Africa.
Then Charlize embraced her Benoni roots by announcing the nominees in a heavy Afrikaans accent – sending the entire room into hysterical fits of laughter.
This was clearly Tina Jaxa’s year. After a long absence from the small and big screen, she took honours for best actress in a TV Drama for Intersexions: Season 2 as well as best supporting actress in a feature film for her role as the head mistress in Of Good Report.
In her thank you speech, she said, with admirable humility: “I have been around for almost 30 years. When you begin to apply your professionalism and respect, I guess you get one of these.”
Another actor grinning from ear to ear, especially after his many wins at the recently held Royalty Soapie Awards, was Siyabonga Twala.
He won the Golden Horn for best actor in a TV drama for his role as Musa in Intersexions: Season 2 and best actor in a TV soap for playing Mpiyakhe Zungu in Isibaya.
The elated heavyweight actor said: “This is truly amazing. I would like to thank Bomb Shelter Productions. I would like to thank Angus, Desiree and the cast.”
One of the best speeches of the night was that of Abigail Kubeka.
“Thank you so, so much. It has been a long road. It’s been rough but it’s been beautiful,” she told the audience.
“Tonight, looking at these beautiful actors and actresses, it makes me proud – and even prouder to be a part of this industry. We did all of this with nothing but love and dedication.
“We have given you the baton. Let’s tell our beautiful African stories and share our music. We are the best. Let’s show the world!”
As elegant as ever, she got a standing ovation.
The only other standing ovation went to Nelson Mandela as the Saftas paid tribute to those that passed away last year, including soapie actress Lesego Motsepe.
WINNERS:
Best TV Drama: Intersexions: Season 2 (Quizzical Pictures)
Best Director of a TV Drama: Tempy Pushas (Libby Dougherty and Tebogo Malope)
Best Writing Team of a TV Drama: Room 9 (Athos Kyriakides and Thuso Sibisi)
Best Actor in a TV Drama: Siyabonga Twala (Musa, Intersexions, Season 2)
Best Supporting Actor in a TV Drama: Akhumzi Jezile (Ngulube, Tempy Pushas)
Best Actress in a TV Drama: Tina Jaxa (Nokuthula, Intersexions: Season 2)
Best Supporting Actress in a TV Drama: Harriet Manamela (Meike Maputla, Skeem Saam)
Best TV Comedy: ZA News (Both Worlds)
- The Star