‘Shaka iLembe’ Wins Big at the SAFTAs
The period drama, ‘Shaka iLembe, ’based on the life of King Shaka Zulu, scoops a record-setting 12 wins at the South African Television Awards.
Shaka iLembe, the period drama series based on the life of the AmaZulu monarch, King Shaka, won 12 of the 17 categories it was nominated in at the 18th annual South African Film and Television Awards (SAFTAs) held over the weekend.
The series, whose second season has been commissioned, debuted to record audience numbers in 2023, and has been called the most expensive production in South African television history. It won in categories such as Best Visual Effects, Best Achievement in Editing, Best Achievement in Cinematography, Best Achievement in Directing and Best Actor, which went to the inimitable Thembinkosi Mthembu, who stars as King Dingiswayo on the show.Speaking on why he thinks the show has done so well, the first-time nominee said that it’s a story that “speaks to our roots,” adding that he loves that it’s in IsiZulu. “Our kids will grow up watching this show again and again. When they want to learn about the history of Shaka Zulu, they’ll turn to this show,” he added.
The other big wins during the two-day event went to Netflix’s Yoh! Christmas, which won in categories such as Best TV Comedy, and Showmax’s Outlaws, which won Best Telenovela and Best Best Achievement in Cinematography among others. Both productions bagged eight awards each.
Prime Video, whose welcome entry into the South African market was cut short when the streaming service announced its exit earlier this year, won in seven categories, including five for its feature film, The Fragile King. These included Best Feature Film and Best Achievement in Scriptwriting - Feature Film.Other winners include Presley Chweneyagae, who took home the Best Actor in a Telenovela award for his role in The River, beating Mthembu in the process. The Siya Kolisi Story won Best Achievement in Editing - Documentary, while the Best Achievement in Cinematography — Documentary went to Rosemary’s Hitlist, which tells the story of Nomia Rosemary Ndlovu, the cop-turned-serial killer.
Mpho Sebeng was honored posthumously with the Best Supporting Actor in a Telenovela for his role in The Estate. The Lifetime Achiever Awards were presented to Arthur Molepo and Mfundi Vundla.
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