‘Shaka ILembe’ leads nominations at KZN film and TV awards

Bomb Productions series Shaka ILembe is leading the pack with the most nominations at the 2024 Simon Mabhunu Sabela KZN Film and Television Awards.

Some of the nominees from the series include Nomzamo Mbatha, Deli Malinga and Hope Mbele. Also Thembinkosi Mthembu, Wiseman Mncube, and Kwenzo Ngcobo.


The nominees were announced on Thursday morning by the KwaZulu-Natal Tourism and Film Authority on behalf of the Economic Development, Tourism, and Environmental Affairs department.

In response to the surge of reality shows in the province and their impact on the province’s film and television industry, a new innovative public participation category has been added.

This category focuses on reality TV and invites the public to engage in the nomination and judging process. The process is done through the social media public voting system. Entries are currently open until June 28 2024.

New technical awards categories

The Call to Entry campaign closed on March 28 2024. In response to popular demand from the industry, there are new Technical Award categories this year. These includ Best Use of Cinematography and Best Production Design.

KZN Film Commission’s Jackie Motsepe said they were delighted to announce the nominees. She said this aligns with their strategic mandate of creating opportunities and growing the KwaZulu-Natal film industry.

“The introduction of the public voting category acknowledges the popularity of reality TV. It also allows the audience to actively participate in recognising their favourite shows and personalities.

“These individuals have displayed remarkable talent, creativity, and dedication to their craft. The 2024 surge in entries exceeded expectations and surpassed previous records. This underscores the immense enthusiasm and dedication of filmmakers and television producers in the province,” said Motsepe.

The list of Nominees are:

BEST ACTOR TV

Thembinkosi Mthembu – Shaka iLembe
Wiseman Mncube – Shaka iLembe
Wiseman Mncube – Uzalo

BEST ACTRESS TV

Deli Malinga – Umkhokha the Curse
Nirvana Nokwe-Mseleku – Outlaws
Nomzamo Mbatha – Shaka iLembe

BEST SUPPORTING ACTOR TV

Ernest Ndlovu – uZulu no Mhlaba
Khayelihle Dladla – House of Zwide
Melusi Yeni – Sibongile and The Dlaminis

BEST SUPPORTING ACTRESS TV

Dawn Thandeka King – Shaka iLembe
Hope Mbhele – Shaka iLembe
Slindile Nodangala – Outlaws

BEST ACTOR FILM

Kwenzo Ngcobo – Freedom Street
Masoja Msiza – Dear Future Wife
Mpho Sebeng – Ingoma
Siyabonga Shibe – Blind Eye

BEST ACTRESS FILM

Jo-Anne Reyneke – A Queen’s Lobola
Leleti Khumalo – Dear Future Wife
Phumzile Puting – Why It Came

BEST SUPPORTING ACTOR FILM

Mbongeni Ngema – A Queen’s Lobola
Nkosinathi Keswa – Inkabi
Muzi Mthabela – Inkabi

BEST SUPPORTING ACTRESS FILM

Tumelo Nkwanca – London Recruits
Nqobile Dhlomo – Amathambo
Thembi Mtshali-Jones – Blind Eye

BEST DIRECTOR

Mengameli Nhlabathi – Blind Eye
Obett Motaung – Dear Future Wife
Tumelo Lekena – Father’s Day
Vivek Mehta – A Queen’s Lobola

BEST PAN AFRICAN FILM

Norman Maake – Inkabi
Jacintha De Nobrega – London Recruits
Daudi Anguka – Mvera

BEST ISIZULU FILM

Joe Spirit – Amathambo
Caroline Doherty – Dear Future Wife
Zamani Mthiyane – Ingodusoyami

BEST MICRO BUDGET FILM

Zamani Mthiyane – Ingodusoyami
Sanele Ndlovu – Intandokazi
Lwazi Duma – Thulebona

BEST FEATURE FILM

Ashish Gangapersad – A Queen’s Lobola
Joe Spirit – Amathambo
Sans Moonsamy – Who’s my Daddy?

BEST SCREENPLAY

Obett Motaung & Caroline Doherty – Dear Future Wife
Tumelo Lekena – Father’s Day
Mli Dube – Freedom Street

BEST STUDENT FILM

Sithabiso Ndlovu – Cipher
Sithabiso Ndlovu – Hobo
Lindani Msibi – Isibazi
Jarnell Kisten – The Captive

BEST NEWCOMER ACTOR

Bonga Mhlongo – Father’s Day
Ntando Zondi – Shaka iLembe
Ntokozo Mthembu – Uzalo
Ntokozo Vilakazi – uZulu no Mhlaba

BEST NEWCOMER ACTRESS

Nirvana Nokwe-Mseleku – Outlaws
Zamuntu Khoza – Sibongile and The Dlaminis
Ziya Xulu – Shaka iLembe

BEST USE OF CINEMATOGRAPHY

Tiyane Nyembe – A Queen’s Lobola
Jimmy Reynolds – Dear Future Wife
Jimmy Reynolds – Freedom Street

BEST PRODUCTION DESIGN

Boitumelo Nhlapo – A Queen’s Lobola
Dylan Lloyd – Shaka iLembe
Shalen Haluman – Who’s my Daddy?

BEST USE OF KZN AS FILMMING LOCATION

Caroline Doherty – Dear Future Wife
Gabhisa Khuluse – Ithesho Lami – My Hustle
Christy Denn – Sibongile and The Dlaminis

BEST DOCUMENTARY SHORT FILM

Sibusisiwe Buthelezi – Checkpoint
Enver Samuel – Truth Be Told – Ntombi Kubheka – Bones of Memory
Enver Samuel – Truth Be Told – Phila Portia Ndwandwe – The Breastfeeding Warrior

BEST DOCUMENTARY FEATURE FILM

Jacintha De Nobrega – London Recruits
Carolyn Carew – Music Is My Life – Joseph Shabalala And Ladysmith Black Mambazo

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