On Thursday, the National Film and Video Fund announced their nominations for the 10th Annual SAFTAs in a star studded, red carpet event that was held in Johannesburg. The awards recognize the contributions and achievements of South Africa's artists in both the film and television industry. The internet almost broke with excitement from fans and it was compliments galore for the nominated parties while some angry viewers who felt that their favorites were subbed also expressed their disappointments on the day.
It was great to see actors that have done amazing work in the past year getting nods from the industry's biggest awards. Isibaya's Siyabonga Thwala and Vusi Kunene are nominated for the Best Actor in a TV Soap category alongside Isidingo's Mahlatse Mafatshe. Nthati Moshesh (Saints and Sinners),Linda Sokhulu (Shreds and Dreams) and Gugu Masondo (Shreds and Dreams) make up the Best Actress in a TV Drama nominees while Bheki Mkhwane (Uzalo), Siyabonga Radebe (Saints and Sinners) and S'dumo Mtshali (Saints and Sinners) were given the nods for Best Actors in a TV Drama. "Matatiele", "Saints & Sinners" and "Umlilo" are in the running for best TV Drama while "Isibaya" and "Ashes to Ashes" battle it out for the Best TV Soap award. It was also great to see Maggie Benedict get recognized for her supporting role in "Ashes To Ashes" as well as Terence Bridgett who got a nom' for Supporting Actor in "90 Plein Street".
Despite all these great nominations, there are also some deserving actors and productions that I feel were snubbed from the awards. "Uzalo" was left out of the Best TV Drama category and "Scandal" and "Skeem Saam" were not nominated for Best TV Soap. Dawn King who does a splendid job playing the vindictive MaNgcobo on "Uzalo" was not nominated for Best Lead Actress in a TV Drama and it was shocking to see Masasa Mbangeni as well as Manaka Ranaka get left out of the Best Actress in a TV Soap and Best Supporting Actress in a TV Soap respectively. Mlungisi Mathe who plays the character of the sleek and witty Emkay on "Skeem Saam" should have been included as Best Supporting Actor in a TV Soap. I also think "7de Laan" and "Scandal" are two of the best soaps currently on TV that one can watch without ever puking at the storyline and should have gone for the Best Achievement in Scriptwriting; and we all know that "Scandal" is also deserving of that Best Cinematography in a TV Soap award.
It is hard to understand why the judging panel or board or who ever is responsible, opted to limit their nominations to only 3 nominees per category and it is really unnecessary for the awards to have this many categories. While it is fair for productions and actors to compete according to genre, it is quite uncalled for to have make-up artists, costume designers and production designers doing the same.
Many have complained that 10 years later the SAFTAs still have so many flaws and loose ends; we hope that in the next coming years we will see some improvements. In the meantime, we wish the best of luck to all the nominees.
Here is the complete list of the SAFTA 2016 nominees: http://www.tvsa.co.za/user/blogs/viewblogpost.aspx?blogpostid=32319
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