Showmax an early winner at the SAFTAs

The National Film and Video Foundation announced the nominees for the 15th South African Film and Television Awards (SAFTAs) this morning and one winner is already clear: Showmax, in the Best Soap Structured Reality TV Show category, where three Showmax Originals are competing against themselves: Lebo M: Coming Home, Life With Kelly Khumalo, and Somizi & Mohale: The Union. 

Another Showmax Original, Lockdown S5, racked up eight nominations, making it the second most nominated TV drama overall behind Still Breathing, which is also now on Showmax. In all, content on Showmax is up for a whopping 128 awards – the most by far of any streaming service available in South Africa.

This includes all three Best Telenovela nominees: Gomora, Legacy, and The River; all three Best Made-For-TV Movie nominees: A Christmas Chorus, Home Affairs: A Christmas Tale, and Loving Thokoza; three-quarters of the Best Documentary Feature nominees: A New Country, How To Steal A Country, and Mother to Mother; and nominees for Best Feature Film (Griekwastad), Best TV Comedy (Black Tax), Best Made-for-TV Documentary (Chasing The Sun), Best Natural History and Environmental Programme (Kingdoms of Fire, Ice and Fairy Tales), Best Lifestyle Program (Jan and Elders: Pelgrimstog van Hoop); Best International Format Show (Hoer My! Sien My! Soen My! and The Single Wives SA); Best Factual Programme (Megaboere); Best Variety Show (Die Republiek van Zoid Afrika); Best Youth Programme (Kompleks); Best Entertainment (Maak My Famous) and Best Short Film (uXolile), not to mention a host more craft nominations.

The 15th SAFTAs will be held on Saturday 22 May 2021.