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Winners of the 19th South African Film and Television Awards were announced during a ceremony held in Johannesburg on 13 and 14 March 2026.
The awards ceremony honoured the best achievements in South Africa’s film and television industry across drama, film, documentaries and soap operas.
The event celebrated productions, actors and creators whose work shaped the local entertainment industry over the past year.
What happened
The 19th South African Film and Television Awards (SAFTAs) took place at the Gallagher Convention Centre in Johannesburg.
The ceremony recognised excellence across the country’s screen industry, including actors, directors, writers and production teams.
Production company Tshedza Pictures emerged as one of the biggest winners, collecting several Golden Horn trophies for its productions.
Multiple shows and films also received recognition across television and film categories during the two-night event.
Key SAFTAs 2026 winners
Several productions and actors were recognised in major categories.
Major production awards
| Category | Winner |
|---|---|
| Best Feature Film | Death of a Whistleblower |
| Best TV Drama | Reyka 2 |
| Best Telenovela | Youngins |
| Best TV Soap | Scandal! |
| Best TV Comedy | The Morning After |
| Best Documentary Short | Mathonga Elizwe |
Selected acting awards
- Best Actress in a Feature Film – Sandra Prinsloo (A Kind of Madness)
- Best Actor in a Feature Film – Ian Roberts (A Kind of Madness)
- Best Actress in a TV Drama – Gail Mabalane (Unseen Season 2)
- Best Actor in a TV Drama – Frank Opperman (Nêrens, Noord-Kaap Deel 2)
- Best Actress in a Telenovela – Nelisiwe Sibiya (iThonga)
- Best Actor in a Telenovela – Bonko Khoza (iThonga)
Zenande Mfenyana celebrates her SAFTA win
Actor Zenande Mfenyana was among the award winners at the 2026 ceremony.
She won Best Supporting Actress in a TV Drama for her role in the series The Estate.
Following the announcement, Mfenyana said the moment had not fully sunk in and expressed gratitude for the recognition and support she received during the production.
Her win adds to a growing list of accolades for the actor, who has previously starred in several well-known South African television productions.
Why it matters
The SAFTAs remain the country’s leading awards recognising excellence in film and television.
The ceremony highlights the achievements of South African creatives and encourages continued growth in the local entertainment industry.
It also promotes local storytelling and supports actors, filmmakers and production companies working in television and film.
What happens next
The National Film and Video Foundation and SAFTAs organisers say the awards will continue supporting local storytelling and creative talent.
Producers, actors and filmmakers are expected to begin preparing new productions ahead of the next awards cycle.
Fans can follow official SAFTAs channels for the complete list of winners and highlights from the ceremony.
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