When are the 2023 SAFTAs taking place?
The competition is fierce, with kykNET taking the lead with an impressive 63 nominations, closely followed by Netflix SA with an impressive 55 nods.

 

 

 
The SAFTAs will once again captivate audiences with its glitzy award ceremonies.

The technical awards will kick off the festivities, streaming live on the SAFTAs YouTube channel on Friday, 29 September 2023, followed by a rebroadcast on SABC channels.The main event, the SAFTAs awards ceremony, will take place on Saturday, 30 September 2023.

Viewers can catch the excitement live on Mzansi Magic (DStv 161) and SABC 3 at 19:00.

This year’s SAFTAs carry the resonant theme of “Our stories flow together,” celebrating the rich tapestry of narratives that make up the South African film and television landscape.

The theme emphasises unity, diversity, and the power of storytelling to bridge gaps and connect communities.

Were Ferguson Films productions snubbed?
The 17th SAFTAs witness the return of Word of Mouth Pictures’ Muvhango on SABC 2 and Stained Glass TV’s Durban Gen on e.tv after last year’s hiatus.

However, the awards continue to lack representation from Ferguson Films productions, such as The Queen on Mzansi Magic.

Certain productions, like the cancelled SABC 2 soap 7de Laan, faced financial constraints that prevented their entry into the SAFTAs.

While the absence of some beloved shows may be felt, the awards remain a platform to highlight the outstanding achievements of those who are participating.

2023 SAFTAs: KyKNET bosses with the most nods
The 2023 SAFTAs nomination list, which you can see below, reflects the diversity of South African storytelling.

MultiChoice and M-Net’s Afrikaans channel ‘kykNET’ proudly garnered 63 nominations, showcasing a range of compelling content, including the acclaimed comedy TV series Hotel and the captivating ecological horror fantasy film Gaia.

Netflix South Africa boasted a substantial 55 nominations. The film with the highest number of nominations, 12 for Silverton Siege, produced by Pambilimedia, underscored Netflix’s dominance since committing to delivering impactful content.

Additionally, Showmax’s Tali’s Joburg Diary received eight nominations, further solidifying the streaming platforms’ influence.

Check out the complete list of winners for the 2023 SAFTAs:

Best Achievement In Sound: Documentary

Kusasa (Tim Pringle Production, Optical Films) – WINNER
Map1mp1: The Makazole Mapimpi Story (Anlerie Cilliers, Matthew Brown, Alexander Parker, 10th Street Media), SuperSport
SanDance (Gustav Stutterheim Production, Mushroom Films)
Steinheist (Daniel Eppel Production, Idea Candy), Showmax
Senzo: Murder of a Soccer Star (Charlotte Buys, Storyscope), Netflix
Best Achievement In Editing: Documentary

Kusasa (Joe Krenzer, Optical Films) – WINNER
My Name is Reeva (Isabelle Saunders, Bloodrose Productions), M-Net
Pale Ya Kosa (Leeroy Moyo, Full Circle Productions)
Rassie (Benjamin Haskins, T+W), M-Net
Steinheist (Nikki Comninos, Idea Candy), Showmax
Best Achievement In Cinematography: Documentary

Against All Odds: The Alwyn Uys Story (William Collinson, Stefan Enslin Productions), Showmax
Changemaker: Simphiwe Rorwana (Yolisa Qwabaza, TCI), e.tv – WINNER
Die Groot Niks (Jonathan Crawford, Plan C Productions), kykNET
Kusasa (Chris Van Der Burgh, Optical Films)
Rassie (Devin Carter, T+W), M-Net
Best Achievement In Directing: Documentary

Girl, Taken (Simon Wood, Francois Verster, SaltPeter Productions), M-Net
Lobola, A Bride’s True Price? (Sihle Hlophe, Passion Seed Communications), SABC 1 – WINNER
Steinheist (Richard Finn Gregory, Idea Candy), Showmax
Best Documentary Short

A Camera on my Lap (twospinningwheels) – WINNER
Changemaker: Simphiwe Rorwana (TCI), e.tv
Tribe (Just Films)
This Side of Fabulous (Floozie Films)
Best Made-For-TV Documentary

Kusasa (Optical Films)
Senzo: Murder of a Soccer Star ( Storyscope), Netflix – WINNER
Steinheist (Idea Candy), Showmax
Best Documentary Feature

Girl, Taken (SaltPeter Productions), M-Net
Lobola, A Bride’s True Price? (Passion Seed Communications), SABC 1 – WINNER
War Dogs and I (Killer Puppy Media), Showmax
Best Children’s Programme

Takalani Sesame – Seeing Red Not Yellow (Sesame Workshop South Africa), SABC 2
Nick Music Africa (VIS Studios), Nickelodeon Africa – WINNER
Words and Numbers (Johan Stemmet Entertainment Enterprises), SABC 2
Best Educational Programme

Aganang (Urban Brew Studios), Dumisa TV
MTV Shuga: What Makes A Man (Taung Film Studios), MTV Africa – WINNER
Suid-Kalahari Stories (Stigting vir Bemagtiging deur Afrikaans)
Best Factual Programme

Ingono Yomsamo (Barleader TV), SABC 1
Rebounders: Grizelda Grootboom (Red Sugar Productions), SABC 1 – WINNER
Strangers You Know – Anene Booysen (Combined Artistic Productions), M-Net
Best Competition Reality Programme

Showdance Yo Dumo (Urban Brew Studios), SABC 1
Die Groenste Vingers (Phly Media), kykNET
Houvrou of Trouvrou (Thank you kindly, Bobby), VIA
The Taste Master SA (Cardova Productions), SABC 2
Tropika Island of Treasure: All Stars (Cardova Productions), SABC 3 – WINNER
Best structured soapie reality show

Life with Kelly Khumalo (GOAT Originals), Showmax – WINNER
Living the Dream with Somizi (Dopezuluboi Productions), Showmax
Uthando Nes’thembu (Passionlane Productions), Mzansi Magic
Young, Famous & African (Urban Brew Studios), Netflix
Best structured/docu-reality show

Privaatspeurders (Reel Epics Productions), VIA
Love goes Wild S1 (Trace TV), SABC 3
Our Perfect Wedding (Connect TV), Mzansi Magic
Sex in Afrikaans (Provoco), Showmax – WINNER
Weskusbewoners (BrightRock), kykNET
Best youth programme

Eksê Live (Cape Town TV), Cape Town TV
SA’s Hottest MCs 2022 (VIS Studios), MTV Africa
TREND (Green Planet Productions), kykNET – WINNER
Yo MTV Raps Uncapped (VIS Studios), MTV Africa
Best online content

Actor Spaces Masterclasses (Actor Spaces)
Minder as Niks (Wyrd Films)
Lunch with Hitler (Argento Holdings) – WINNER
Best lifestyle programme

Homegrown Taste South Africa (Rapid Blue), BBC Lifestyle – WINNER
Spasie (Walla Films), kykNET
Spyskaart (Media Club Productions), SABC 2
Best current affairs programme

Funny Farm, Carte Blanche (Combined Artistic Productions), M-Net
Medical Xenophobia (Combined Artistic Productions), M-Net
Mining Takedown, Carte Blanche (Combined Artistic Productions), M-Net – WINNER
Best made-for-TV movie

Geleende Tyd (Penguin Films), kykNET
The Payback (The Final Chapter), eVOD
Whatever it Takes (RHP International), eVOD – WINNER
Best international format

MasterChef SA (Homebrew Films), M-Net
My Kitchen Rules SA S4 (Picture Tree), M-Net
Survivor SA: Return of the Outcasts (Afrokaans), M-Net – WINNER
Best entertainment programme

In die Kollig Met (Stemmburg Television), SABC 2
Miss South Africa 2022 Live Finale (Black Swan Media), M-Net – WINNER
Noot vir Noot (Stemmburg Television), SABC 2
Best variety show

Mzansi Icons (Dopezuluboi Productions), Mzansi Magic
Sunday Sexy Love (Media24), Mzansi Magic – WINNER
VIP Invite (Urban Brew Studios) Mzansi Magic Music
Best achievement in make-up/hairstyling: TV comedy

Hotel (Gina Slingerland, Nagvlug Films), kykNET
How to Ruin Christmas (Silindile Dladla, Burnt Onion Productions), Netflix – WINNER
Tali’s Joburg Diary (Mari Conradie, Sketchbook Studios), Showmax
Best achievement in wardrobe: TV comedy

Hotel (Marlé Coetsee, Nagvlug Films), kykNET
How to Ruin Christmas (Nondumiso Mazwi, Burnt Onion Productions), Netflix
Tali’s Joburg Diary (Erin Simon, Sketchbook Studios), Showmax – WINNER
Best achievement in sound: TV comedy

Hotel (Tim Pringle, Giles Heesom-Green, Melani Robertson, Nagvlug Films), kykNET – WINNER
How to Ruin Christmas (Janno Muller, Burnt Onion Productions), Netflix
Ses’Top La (Kurt Slabbert, Black Brain Pictures), SABC 1
Best achievement in art direction: TV comedy

Hotel (Merishen Wessels, Nagvlug Films), kykNET – WINNER
How to Ruin Christmas (Savannah Geldenhuys, Martha Sibanyoni, Burnt Onion Productions), Netflix
Ou Toppies (Louisa Jansen van Nieuwenhuizen, HD in Motion, Dark Child Productions), SABC 2
Best achievement in editing: TV comedy

Hotel (Regardt Botha, Johan Cronje, Nagvlug Films), kykNET
How to Ruin Christmas (Bongi Malefo, Khulekani Zondi, Melanie Golden, Burnt Onion Productions), Netflix – WINNER
Tali’s Joburg Diary (Johan Prinsloo, Gordon Midgley, Sketchbook Studios), Showmax
Best achievement in scriptwriting: TV comedy

How to Ruin Christmas (Rethabile Ramaphakela, Lwazi Mvusi, Thuso Sibisi, Sunni Faba, Salah Sabiti, Katleho Ramaphakela, Burnt Onion Productions), Netflix
Ou Toppies (Dorette Nel, HD in Motion, Dark Child Productions), SABC 2
Tali’s Joburg Diary (Julia Anastasopoulos, Ari Kruger, Gilli Apter, Daniel Zimbler, Sketchbook Studios), Showmax – WINNER
Best achievement in cinematography: TV comedy

Hotel (Dino Benedetti, Nagvlug Films), kykNET – WINNER
How to Ruin Christmas (Lance Gewer, Burnt Onion Productions), Netflix
Karavaan (Sunel Haasbroek, Hipster Media), SABC 2
Best achievement in directing: TV comedy

Hotel (Bennie Fourie, Nagvlug Films), kykNET
How to Ruin Christmas (Johnny Barbuzano, Ferry Jele, Burnt Onion Productions), Netflix
Tali’s Joburg diary (Ari Kruger, Sketchbook Studios), Showmax – WINNER
Best achievement in make-up/hairstyling: TV drama

Blood Psalms (Nicola Roodt, Ronwyn Jarret, Theola Booyens, Cassidy Lombard-Dick, Arnold Khaya Simphiwe Ngubeni Ka Zulu, Nonkululeko Clementine Mabaso, Johannes Keresi Mokokoe, Natasha du Toit, Yellowbone Entertainment), Showmax
Desert Rose (Marika Callop, Quizzical Pictures), M-Net – WINNER
Donkerbos (Mari Conradie, Nagvlug Films), Showmax
Savage Beauty (Theola Booyens, Quizzical Pictures), Netflix
Best achievement in wardrobe: TV drama

Desert Rose (Tracey Berg, Quizzical Pictures), kykNET
Donkerbos (MariechenVosloo, Nagvlug Films), Showmax
Lavish (Brenda Khambula, Hela Media), Mzansi Magic – WINNER
Best achievement in sound: TV drama

Blood & Water (Carl Roberts, Simon Ratcliffe, James Olivier, Jade Hill, Jack Van Wyk, Jaime Lopes, Richard West, Gambit Films), Netflix
Dinge van ‘n Kind (Tim Pringle, Giles Heesom-Green, Melani Robertson, Nagvlug Films), kykNET
Donkerbos (Jozua Loots, Nagvlug Films), Showmax – WINNER
The Brave Ones (Guy Steer, Ochre Media), Netflix
Best achievement in original music/score: TV drama

Donkerbos (Franco Prinsloo, Nagvlug Films), Showmax
Fraksie (Loki Rothman, Infinity Films), kykNET
Ludik (Peach Van Pletzen, Rose and Oaks Media), Netflix – WINNER
Best achievement in art direction: TV drama

Blood & Water (Christian Joubert, Gambit Films), Netflix
The Brave Ones (Jacobus Smit, Ochre Media), Netflix – WINNER
Savage Beauty (Marna Heunis, Quizzical Pictures), Netflix
Best achievement in editing: TV drama