The massively successful Shaka iLembe added to its impressive haul at the 18th South African Film and Television Awards (Safta) on Saturday night, bagging two more gongs after winning 10 on the first night of the show.
The popular drama series took home 10 of the 12 craft awards it was nominated for at Friday's ceremony, including best achievements in directing, script writing, cinematography and visual effects.
It scored 17 individual show nominations in the lead-up to the awards. All together, Shaka iLembe became the most-nominated TV drama in Safta history.
The Bomb Shelter Film Company production walked away with the Best TV Drama and Best Actor in a TV Drama awards on Saturday night.
Thembinkosi Mthembu, who was nominated for Best Actor in a TV Drama for his roles in both Adulting and Shaka iLembe, won for his brilliant portrayal of King Dingiswayo in the latter. But he lost out to Presley Chweneyagae in the Best Actor in a Telenovela category.
Best Supporting Actor in a TV Drama went to Fatal Seduction's Nat Ramabulana.
Best Actress in a TV Drama went to Shannon Esra, who stars in season 2 of Lioness. Her co-star, Natasha Sutherland, snagged the Best Supporting Actress in a TV Drama award.
Fatal Seduction and Lioness are both produced by Ochre Media — a division of Arena Holdings.
Shaka iLembe, set in the late 18th and early 19th centuries, explores the rise of the iconic African king Shaka Zulu, played by Lemogang Tsipa.
Its first episode drew more than 3.6-million DStv viewers in South Africa, and it also reached No 1 spot on the DStv app in Zambia, Zimbabwe, Botswana, Namibia and other African countries. It has since been renewed for another season.
Reacting to Shaka iLembe's impressive win on Friday was the show's executive producer, Desiree Markgraaff.
“We are delighted that the individuals who poured their talent and passion into each craft have been celebrated. Ours was an extraordinary team who were driven by a deep respect for the subject material and a desire to honour African history,” she said.
Netflix's Yoh! Christmas and Tshedza Pictures' Outlaws were the other big winners at the Saftas. Both took home most of the awards they were nominated for in their respective categories.
Yoh! Christmas took home eight of the 10 awards it was nominated for.
The romantic comedy series, produced by BBZEE, won gongs in the Best TV Comedy, Best Supporting Actress in a TV Comedy (Dorothy Anne Gould) and Best Supporting Actor in a TV Comedy (Kagiso Modupe) categories, among others.
Outlaws triumphed in eight of the 11 categories for which it received nominations, including Best Telenovela and best achievement in the directing, cinematography and original song in a Telenovela categories.
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