A still from ‘Red Ink,’ showing actor Bonko Khoza in an orange prison uniform slamming his fist on an interrogation table.
Bonko Khoza won the Best Actor award at NFTA for his role in the thriller, ‘Red Ink.’
Photo courtesy of Showmax.

Bonko Khoza, Nambitha Ben-Mazwi and Trevor Noah Honored at National Film & TV Awards South Africa

South Africa's brightest in film, TV and digital content shine at the award show, with fan favorites like ‘Skeem Saam,’ ‘Savage Beauty’ and ‘Heart of the Hunter’ taking top honors.

Now in its second year, the National Film and TV Awards South Africa, held in State Theatre, Pretoria this past weekend, is continuing its mission to celebrate the best in the country’s film, television and digital content. NFTA is part of the National Film Academy, which has established prestigious award ceremonies in the U.S. as well as the U.K. in its 26-year history.

Red Ink, which is an adaptation of author Angela Makholwa’s thriller of the same name, won Best Actor for Bonko Khoza, who stars as serial killer Napoleon Dingiswayo, while his co-star Lorcia Cooper took home the Best Supporting Actress award for her role as detective Morapedi.

Nambitha Ben-Mazwi’s brilliant performances as private security bodyguard, Ndoni, in the series Empini, and her role in Netflix’s Savage Beauty, gained her a Best Actress award. “I am truly humbled to be recognized by the public. This award is not just for me but for every actor who’s put in the hard work,” said Ben-Mazwi during her acceptance speech.

Mandla Dube’s Heart of the Hunter won in two categories — Best Feature Film and Best Director. “It’s a great honor to be part of a project that resonates so deeply with South African audiences,” said Dube during his speech.

Other winners for the night were S’dumo Mtshali, who won Best Actor in a TV Series for his role in My Brother’s Keeper; Katlego Lebogang, who won the Best Newcomer award for her roles in Yoh! Christmas and Spinners; and Lethabo LeJoy as Best Female TV Personality for her appearance on The Real Housewives Ultimate Girls Trip - South Africa.

SABC 1’s drama Skeem Saam, which has been airing since 2011, was crowned as the Best TV Drama series, while Savage Beauty won the Best Scripted TV Series award, and Chasing the Sun 2, the story about the Springboks’ journey to their fourth Rugby World Cup, won Best Documentary.

The controversial Podcast and Chill with MacG won the Best Podcast award, Tumi Morake was awarded as the Best Comedian, and Trevor Noah was awarded the Celebrity Personality of the Year.

Below is a list of some of the winners. You can check out the full list of winners here.

Best Actress 2024

Nambitha Ben-Mazwi (Savage Beauty and Empini)

Best Actor 2024

Bonko Khoza (Red Ink)

Best Actress in a TV Series

Zikhona Sodlaka (Gqeberha – The Empire)

Best Newcomer

Katlego Lebogang (Yoh! Christmas and Spinners)

Best Actor in a TV Series

S’dumo Mtshali (My Brother's Keeper)

Best Supporting Actress

Lorcia Cooper (Red Ink)

Best Supporting Actor

Vuyo Dabula (The Butcher's Soul)

Best TV Drama Series

Skeem Saam

Best Supporting Actress in a TV Series

Sannah Mchunu (Gomora)

Best Supporting Actor in a TV Series

Clement Maosa (Skeem Saam)

Best Non-Scripted TV Series

The Mommy Club

Best Scripted TV Series

Savage Beauty

Best Feature Film

Heart of the Hunter

Best Director

Mandla Dube (Heart of the Hunter)

Best Television or Streaming Network

Showmax

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