The South African Film and Television Awards took place over two nights, on 13 and 14 March 2026 in Johannesburg. Among the biggest winners at this year’s SAFTAs was Multichoice, a Canal + Company, which took home 48 Awards across reality, scripted, documentary and lifestyle programming. The awards celebrated the creative brilliance and talent behind the scenes and on screen who continue to set the benchmark for exceptional storytelling.
Built on more than a decade of iconic telenovelas, Mzansi Magic’s storytelling was on full display as its stars swept all four acting awards in the Telenovela category with Bonko Khoza winning Best Actor (iThonga), his second win; and first-time winners Zenande Mfenyana for Best Supporting Actress (Inimba); Anele Matoti for Best Supporting Actor (Gqeberha – The Empire) and Nelisiwe Sibiya for Best Actress (iThonga).
Showmax’s teen drama Youngins picked up the most wins in the Telenovela category, including the award for Best Telenovela, bringing the show’s total to four awards. In a public vote for the country’s most popular telenovela, Inimba claimed the top honour.
Scriptwriting was another area of recognition with Inimba, Law Love & Betrayal, Magda Louw, and Suidooster all earning SAFTA awards for scriptwriting in their respective categories. The second season of Law, Love and Betrayal (LLB) is currently available on Mzansi Magic and Showmax. Tshedza Pictures (Youngins, iThonga) once again proved its creative strength, emerging as the most awarded production company of the year.
“This recognition honours the extraordinary depth of our creative talent. South Africa’s creative community consistently delivers work of world‑class standard, rooted in authenticity and driven by excellence,” says Nomsa Philiso, Director Content, GE English and Portuguese speaking territories “Congratulations to all the winners.”
The long-running investigative flagship show on M-Net (DStv Channel 101), Carte Blanche, extended its streak in the Best Current Affairs Programme category, winning it the fourth time this year. M-Net’s hit dramas Reyka S2 and White Lies tied with three SAFTAs each, including Best TV Drama for Reyka S2. The first season of the crime drama was sold to over 150 territories. Showmax’s sci-fi feature film The Fix took home four awards. The awards also celebrated the success of School Ties and Chasing the Sun 2, both International Emmy nominees, with School Ties winning Best Made for TV Documentary Series. and Chasing the Sun 2, taking home the award for Best Achievement in Editing for a TV Documentary Series.
The awards also celebrated exceptional contributions and representation in the industry. Erik Holm was honoured with the Special Disability Award for the work on Binnelanders, while Bobby Heany received the Lifetime Achievement Award for his long-standing contribution to the industry and nurturing the next generation of storytellers through the MultiChoice Talent Factory.
