Afrikaans screen icons honoured with Lifetime Achievement Awards

The Silwerskerm Festival celebrates the best of Afrikaans film and television. A platform for emerging and established talent, this annual festival event takes place between the pristine ocean and mountain views of Camps Bay in Cape Town. Known for its blue carpet, this year’s Silwerskerm honoured three film and TV legends for their lifetime contributions. 

1. Hans Strydom: “First South African on television”, and Binnelanders star

Hans Strydom is a founding member of the South African Guild of Actors, a champion for actors and their rights. Born in Durban, the avid drama student went on to a law degree at Potchefstroom University and became a public prosecutor and magistrate before returning to his first love.  

During this time, he remained an active member of the Volksteater, which led to his big break when he was noticed by film producer Elmo de Witt. Credited as the first South African to be on television, Hans landed the lead role in the feature film Môre, Môre.  

This breakthrough turned into a successful early acting career with roles in TV series such as Slampampersirkus, The Mannheim-Sage and Jasper le Feuvre. Strydom is best known for his roles in The Gods Must Be Crazy II, Generations and Binnelanders, a popular and long-running drama series that centres on the challenges faced by the staff and patients at Binneland Klieniek. 

2. Denise Newman: See her in her iconic role in Suidooster

Denise Newman is a versatile film, theatre and TV actor, a recognisable face who has become a respected mentor within the industry. Born in Cape Town and raised in Athlone, Newman’s exchange programme enabled her to nurture her love for acting. While her social work studies eventually led her to the Cape Town Municipality’s housing office, she kept her passion alive. Starting her professional acting career with Peepshow at the Baxter Theatre, Newman went on to feature in a variety of stage productions, including; Shakespeare, Athol Fugard and Pieter-Dirk Uys. 

In the 1990s, Newman landed TV roles in Onder Engele and Tussen Duiwels. Working with Oliver Hermanus in Shirley Adams and Endless River, she’s also known for Material. Having led a multi-faceted acting career, Newman’s probably best known for her iconic role as Bridgette in the long-running drama Suidooster. This telenovela series focuses on the interpersonal dynamics of Ruiterbosch, a community grappling with the complexities of everyday life. Having a decades-spanning career, the 70-year-old is now a beloved and enduring acting legend. 

3. Roberta Durrant: Director, producer and showrunner of Arendsvlei and more

Roberta Durrant is an award-winning and renowned creative director, producer and showrunner. An influential trailblazer, Durrant studied drama at the University of Stellenbosch, garnering experience on stage, TV and film before starting Penguin Films to make documentaries.  

Durrant has become a leading figure in the South African entertainment industry with a variety of engaging and impactful series, films and sitcoms to her name. From S’Gudi Snaysi and Going Up, she went onto Fishy Fêshuns, Madam & Eve and Stokvel. Durrant continues to ply her craft, having spearheaded the film Felix and drama series such as Home Affairs, Saints and Sinners, GIL and the telenovela Skemergrond. The recipient of several lifetime achievement awards, you can catch many of the prolific filmmaker and show runner’s films and series now streaming on Showmax, including these:

Arendsvlei is a gripping and timely issues drama starring Jolene Martin, Crystal-Donna Roberts and Jody Abrahams that journeys the trials and tribulations of a Cape Flats community. The seemingly indestructible Cupido family, who built a private school from the ground up, are put to the test when a ruthless revenge-fueled woman sets out to destroy them. Based on a short story, this authentic long-running telenovela explores challenges faced by the education system. 

Diepe Waters is a drama featuring Justin Strydom, Lea Vivier and Sandi Schultz that revolves around the Swarts family who run the competitive and prestigious swimming club, Swart Marlynne. Grappling with love, betrayal, secrets and scandals, the show gets to grips with personal conflicts and professional challenges faced by the family, management and staff.  

Sara se Geheim is a family drama starring June van Merch that centres on a woman who tries to smother a deep secret as she navigates the complexities of her personal and professional life. Trying to keep the skeletons in the closet, the deep-seated emotional turmoil and truth about Sara’s past threaten to spill out and complicate everything.  

Krotoa is a South African historical drama that tells the story of a young Khoi woman who became an interpreter and mediator between her tribe and the Dutch settlers in 17th-Century South Africa. The authentic film offers a unique perspective with striking visuals and a talented cast led by Crystal-Donna Roberts. 

Herb & Moon journeys with a rebellious grandfather, who escapes his retirement home to spend Christmas with his granddaughter. Starring Robert Whitehead, Katherine Neethling, and Keenan Arrison, this colourful, heartwarming and quirky Christmas comedy-drama is a delightful tale of family, friendship and seizing the day.  

Love, Lies and Hybrids is a steamy romance drama that escalates tensions after Daniel decides to surprise his fiancée, Jessica, while on a cabin retreat with her secretive lover, Sophia. Starring Alexander Maniatis, Shamilla Miller and Meghan Oberholzer, the lovers’ triangle threatens to implode as Jessica is forced to make a life-changing decision.