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The National Film and Video Foundation announced the nominees for the 19th South African Film and Television Awards on 17 February 2026, with productions available on Netflix accounting for 55 nominations across multiple categories, as How To Ruin Love leads with 11 nominations.
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The nominations cover feature films, scripted series, and technical areas that include directing, acting, cinematography, editing, sound, production design, costume design, makeup and hairstyling, and visual effects.
How to Ruin Love
This romantic comedy follows Zoleka, a love cynic who suspects her boyfriend Kagiso of infidelity and ruins her own surprise proposal to him. She then carries out a series of schemes with help from both families to win him back. Created by Rethabile Ramaphakela and Katleho Ramaphakela and produced by Burnt Onion Productions, the series received 11 nominations.
Reyka Season 2
The crime drama follows criminal profiler Reyka Gama as she investigates violent crimes in KwaZulu-Natal while confronting the trauma from her own childhood kidnapping. Directed by Catharine Cooke and Rea Rangaka and produced by Quizzical Pictures, the season received nine nominations.
White Lies
This crime thriller miniseries is set in Cape Town’s wealthy Bishopscourt suburb, where investigative journalist Edie Hansen becomes entangled in the murder of her estranged brother and the secrets of a prominent family. Directed by John Trengove, Thati Pele, Catharine Cooke and Christiaan Olwagen and produced by Quizzical Pictures, the series received eight nominations.
Savage Beauty Season 2
The drama continues the story of Zinhle Manzini as she pursues revenge against the Bhengu family and their global beauty empire built on dark secrets. Created by Lebogang Mogashoa and produced by Quizzical Pictures, the season received four nominations.
Unseen Season 2
This thriller follows a blind woman whose life unravels when she becomes the key witness to a murder that no one believes she saw. Produced by Gambit Films, the season received three nominations.
Blood Legacy
This telenovela follows the powerful Mthembu family as they navigate power struggles, secrets and legacy in the world of business and family drama. Directed by Bonita Sithebe, Nozipho Nkelemba, Nthabiseng Mokoena and Marvin-Lee Beukes and produced by Gambit Films, the season received seven nominations.
Heart of the Hunter
This action thriller follows a former special forces soldier who returns to his hometown to protect his family from a powerful criminal syndicate. Directed by Mandla Walter Dube and produced by SCENE23, the film received two nominations.
A Soweto Love Story
This romantic drama follows a mother who uses her family home as bait to encourage her three grown sons to settle down and start their own families. Produced by Quizzical Pictures, the film received one nomination.
Kings of Joburg
This crime drama follows the rivalry between two brothers in the criminal underworld of Johannesburg as they fight for control of the city. Produced by Ergo Distro International, the series received two nominations.
The awards are presented under the theme “One Story. One Industry. One Future. – Celebrating South Africa’s Screen Legacy, Together.” The craft awards will take place on 13 March 2026 and will be streamed live. The main ceremony will be held on 14 March 2026 and broadcast live on Mzansi Magic (Channel 161) and SABC 2.
Public voting for categories that include Best TV Presenter and Most Popular TV Soap or Telenovela opened on 19 February 2026 and closes on 11 March 2026.
In Summary
The 19th SAFTAs recognise work released between 1 January 2024 and 30 June 2025. A total of 434 eligible entries were considered. Leading production houses include Tshedza Pictures with 24 nominations overall. The nominations reflect the range of South African stories reaching audiences through streaming services, from comedies and dramas to technical achievements in film and television.
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