Actress Zenande Mfenyana portrays Thumeka on Mzansi Magic drama "Inimba" and has been nominated at the Saftas19.
Image: Facebook/Mzansi Magic
The National Film and Video Foundation (NFVF), an agency of the Department of Sport, Arts and Culture, and the custodian of the Saftas, has revealed nominees for the 19th Annual South African Film and Television Awards (Saftas19).
As with any awards nomination list, the reactions to the Saftas19 have been mixed, with critics having opinions about why their favourite screen stars were nominated.
Critics also felt that only one actor, Zenande Mfenyana from “Inimba” received a nomination, with many feeling that lead actors Sisa Hewana and Lunathi Mampofu were snubbed.
Hit shows such as “Umkhonkha - The Curse” and “My Brother's Keeper,” produced by Rhythm World Productions, are not seen on the nomination list, meaning that they did not submit any content for consideration.
The Saftas are open to all legal South African citizens and official permanent residents and film or television content must be submitted for consideration in order to be eligible.
Per the current rules of the awards, the production company has to submit a show reel of the performer outside of episodes submitted for other categories.
Entries for Saftas19 closed on September 25, 2025, with eligibility covering content broadcast or streamed between January 1, 2024, and June 30, 2025.
The Saftas received 471 entries, exceeding the target of 350 by 121 submissions. Out of the 471 entries received, an impressive number of 434 were compliant, showing a remarkable increase from the 347 compliant entries for Saftas18.
The 434 compliant SAFTAs19 entries were then reviewed by a jury of 156 film and television industry experts and professionals, who were appointed through an open-call process and sat on 20 judging panels reviewing entries across different categories.
The jury reviewed entries and deliberated on selections through a robust two-phase audited process from October 31, 2025, until January 21, 2026.
During the first phase, from October 31, 2025, to January 7, 2026, the jury evaluated projects, and the deliberation on nominees and winners is currently taking place from January 15 to 21, 2026.
The main awards show will be simulcast live on Mzansi Magic (Channel 161) and SABC 2 on March 14, 2026. The Main show will be preceded by the Red Carpet special on Mzansi Magic and SABC 2.
NFVF’s Acting Chief Executive Officer, Onke Dumeko, said, “Historically, film and television in South Africa have always been at the forefront of keeping the nation informed, educated and entertained.
“It is fitting, therefore, that the producers, directors, actors, and all involved in this important job get the recognition they deserve and that they be celebrated for the great work they do in keeping important conversations ongoing. All you have to do is see the social media pages for intense but fun discussions about a local soap or telenovela, which tells you that these productions are part of the daily lives of so many South Africans.
“One can even go as far as saying they are part of the nation’s coping mechanism with all that is going on in the country and across the world, and the SAFTAs are a fitting way to give a nod to the incredible work of all these creatives in the film and television industry.”
IOL