DStv leads the pack with 225 SAFTA nominations
It’s awards season again, and as the SAFTAs return to spotlight the best in local film and television, DStv is once again leading the charge. The 2026 SAFTA nominations highlight the talent driving South African film and television, recognising exceptional work across a wide range of genres and platforms.
MultiChoice, a CANAL+ company, received 225 nominations for content screened across DStv and Showmax. Of these, 142 nominations came from DStv-owned channels, led by kykNET channels (74), Mzansi channels (33), MNet (30) and SuperSport (5). A further 66 nominations were awarded to Showmax Originals. Thirdparty channels carried on DStv contributed an additional 17 nominations across various genres. Together with other nominated channels available on the platform, this reflects the breadth of local content audiences can watch in one place.
For DStv, this moment is more than just numbers, it’s a continuation of a 30-year legacy in the game. Three decades of backing local stories, investing in homegrown storytellers and keeping Mzansi glued to the screen. And as the SAFTAs spotlight the best in the business, DStv once again proves it’s not just part of the conversation, it’s leading it.
“These nominations reflect the incredible work being made by storytellers across our industry. We’re proud to collaborate with creative teams who bring South African stories to life with such commitment and excellence. Congratulations to every nominee whose talent, collaboration and dedication continue to bring powerful South African stories to audiences at home,” says Nomsa Philiso, Director: Content and General Entertainment in English and Portuguese Africa, for the MultiChoice Group, a CANAL+ company.
Mzansi Magic’s Ithonga is this year’s most-nominated telenovela. The Tshedza Pictures series is up for 10 SAFTAs, including Best Telenovela, Actress (first-time nominee Nelisiwe Sibiya), Supporting Actress (first-time nominee Zodwa Nkosi), and Actor (Bonko Khoza, who plays twins).
M-Net’s Reyka S2 is the most-nominated drama series. Quizzical Pictures’ crime drama is up for nine SAFTAs, including Best TV Drama, Directing (Catherine Cooke and Rea Rangaka), and Actress (Kim Engelbrecht). The first season was up for International Emmys for both TV Drama and Actress (Engelbrecht). Reyka S2 is closely followed by another Quizzical Pictures crime series, White Lies, which is up for eight SAFTAs, including Best TV Drama.
In the Best Documentary or Documentary Series category, M-Net’s Outside Lane and International Emmy nominee School Ties are up against Showmax’s Steinheist and the record-breaking Tracking Thabo Bester, as well as SuperSport’s International Emmy-nominated Chasing The Sun 2, about the Springboks’ latest World Cup victory.
The Showmax Original The Fix is this year’s most-nominated movie. Crave Pictures’ dystopian body-horror is up for 11 SAFTAs, including Best Feature Film and Director (Kelsey Egan).
MultiChoice stars make a strong showing in this year’s Best Actor categories. In Telenovela, Champions’ Sello Maake ka Ncube earns a nomination, while the Comedy category features Magda Louw’s Hannes van Wyk alongside Pronk Primêr’s Pietie Beyers. Feature Films bring a mix of familiar and fresh faces, with David Isaacs nominated for Hier.Na, Louw Venter for Som van Twee, and first-time nominee Ayden Croy for Old Righteous Blues.
In TV Drama, Nêrens, Noord-Kaap’s Frank Opperman secures a nomination, joined by a posthumous nod for Presley Chweneyagae for his performance in Cobrizi. Rounding out the list, Binnelanders’ Hykie Berg represents the TV Soap category. June van Merch earns two nominations — Best Actress for Hier.Na and Best Supporting Actress for Die Kwiksilwers.
In Telenovela, Wyfie’s Celeste Loots celebrates her first nomination, while Desiré Gardner is recognised for Magda Louw in the TV Comedy category. TV Soap honours Binnelanders’ Jeani Swiegelaar, and Zenande Mfenyana represents Inimba in the Supporting Actress in a Telenovela category.
The awards Shows will take place on 13 and 14 March 2026. The SAFTAs Craft awards show will be streamed live on the SAFTAs YouTube page and across Social media platforms on 13 March 2026. The Main awards show will be broadcast Mzansi Magic (Channel 161) 14 March 2026 following the red-carpet broadcast.
The full list of SAFTA nominations is HERE.
