The River and Knuckle City clean up at the 2020 SAFTAs

1 Magic’s popular telenovela The River and boxing film Knuckle City cleaned up at the 2020 South African Film and Television Awards (SAFTAs). The telenovela scooped up 10 awards while the film bagged 6.

Among its awards, The River won best telenovela, best achievement in screenwriting, best actress for Sindi Dlathu, best-supporting actress, best achievement in directing and best achievement. The show’s production house Tshedza Pictures also won an additional 7 awards for its shows The Republic bringing its total to 17.

Following a successful international festival run, Knuckle City won best achievement in directing, best actor in a feature film for its lead Bongile Mantsai, and best supporting actor in a feature film among others.

Other notable wins include Somizi‘s Mzansi Magic reality show Living The Dream with Somizi winning its first SAFTA – the best structured or docu-reality show. Actress Florence Masebe also won her first best actress in a TV drama SAFTA for her role on The Republic.

Our October cover star and veteran actress Thembi Mtshali Jones was honoured with a Lifetime Achievement Award.

The River and Knuckle City clean up at the 2020 SAFTAs. Take a look at the full winner’s list.

Best Short Film: The Letter Reader
Best Student Film: Moya
Best Achievement in Directing – Telenovela: The River
Best Achievement in Directing – TV Soap: Rhythm City
Best Achievement in Scriptwriting – Telenovela: The River
Best Achievement in Scriptwriting – TV Soap: Getroud met Rugby
Best Achievement In Original Music/Score – Telenovela: Isibaya
Best Achievement in Editing – Telenovela: The River
Best Achievement in Sound – TV Soap/Telenovela: The River
Best Achievement in Cinematography – Telenovela: The River
Best Achievement in Wardrobe – TV Soap/Telenovela: The River
Best Achievement in Make-Up and Hairstyling – TV Soap/Telenovela: The River
Best Achievement in Art Direction – TV Soap/Telenovela: Arendsvlei
Best Actress – Telenovela: Sindi Dlathu – The River
Best Actor – Telenovela: Roberto Kyle- Arendsvl
Best Supporting Actress – Telenovela: Mary-Anne Barlow – The River
Best Supporting Actor – Telenovela: Loyiso MacDonald – The Queen
Best Actress – TV Soap: Denise Newman – Suidooster
Best Actor – TV Soap: Bongile Mantsai – Scandal!
Best Supporting Actress – TV Soap: Kgomotso Christopher – Scandal!
Best Supporting Actor – TV Soap: Mncedisi Shabangu – Rhythm City
Best TV Soap: Rhythm City
Best Telenovela: The River
Best Achievement in Directing – TV Drama: The Republic
Best Achievement in Scriptwriting – TV Drama: The Republic
Best Achievement in Editing – TV Drama: Spreeus
Best Achievement in Sound – TV Drama: The Republic
Best Achievement in Original Music/Score – TV Drama: Spreeus
Best Achievement in Art Direction – TV Drama: Shadow
Best Achievement in Wardrobe – TV Drama: Ifalakhe
Best Achievement in Make-Up and Hairstyling – TV Drama: Ifalakhe
Best Achievement in Cinematography – TV Drama: The Republic
Best Actress – TV Drama: Florence Masebe – The Republic
Best Actor – TV Drama: Wiseman Mncube – eHostela
Best Supporting Actress – TV Drama: Brenda Ngxoli – iThemba
Best Supporting Actor – TV Drama: Seputla Sebogodi – The Republic
Best TV Drama: The Republic
Best Achievement in Directing – Documentary Feature: Buddha in Africa
Best Achievement in Cinematography – Documentary: The Sound of Masks
Best Achievement in Editing – Documentary: The Fun’s Not Over: The James Phillips Story
Best Achievement in Sound – Documentary Feature: Dying for Gold
Best Documentary Feature: Buddha in Africa
Best Natural History and Environmental Programme: STROOP: Journey into the Rhino Horn War
Discretionary Award – Natural History and Environmental Programme on Innovative Research: Cave Crocs of Gabon
Best Children’s Programme: Words and Numbers Series 9
Best Competition Reality Show: Ultimate Braai Master
Best Structured or Docu-reality Show: Living The Dream With Somizi Season 4
Best International Format Show: Celebrity Game Night S1
Best Factual & Educational Programme: Op Seer Se Spoor
Best Current Affairs Programme: Checkpoint – Work Hazards
Best Variety Show: Mooi
Best Youth Programme: MTV Shuga Down South 2
Best Entertainment Programme: Emo 30 Jaar In Musiek
Best Lifestyle Programme: Elders: Japan
Best Made for TV Movie: Droomman
Best Achievement in Directing – Feature Film: Knuckle City
Best Achievement in Scriptwriting – Feature Film: Fiela se Kind
Best Achievement in Cinematography – Feature Film: Die Verhaal van Racheltjie de Beer
Best Achievement in Sound Design – Feature Film: Die Verhaal van Racheltjie de Beer
Best Achievement in Original Music/Score – Feature Film: Die Verhaal van Racheltjie de Beer
Best Achievement in Editing – Feature Film: Knuckle City
Best Achievement in Production Design – Feature Film: Knuckle City
Best Achievement in Costume Design – Feature Film: Back of the Moon
Best Achievement in Make-Up and Hairstyling – Feature Film: Knuckle City
Best Actress – Feature Film: Clementine Mosimane –Poppie Nongena
Best Actor – Feature Film: Bongile Mantsai – Knuckle City
Best Supporting Actress – Feature Film: Anna-Mart van der Merwe –Poppie Nongena
Best Supporting Actor – Feature Film: Patrick Ndlovu – Knuckle City
Best Feature Film: Fiela se Kind
Lifetime Achiever Award: Thembi Mtshali-Jones
Youth Achiever Award: Thabo Welcome
Outstanding Person with Disability Contributor Award: Boitsheko Keabetswe Malebo Matlhage
Outstanding Provincial Contributor Award: Luzuko Dilima
Emerging Filmmaker Award: Vusi Africa Sindane
Best TV Presenter: Entle Bizana – Hectic on 3
Most Popular TV Soap/Telenovela: Imbewu