Actor Melusi Yeni, who has been in the industry for over two decades, finally won an award for his craft on Saturday evening at the 13th edition of the Simon Mabhunu Sabela Awards.
Hosted by Nomalanga Shozi, the award ceremony, which took place at the Playhouse in Durban, highlighted the fast-paced and ever-changing world of technology.
These awards were established to celebrate and recognise the outstanding achievements of filmmakers and television professionals in KwaZulu-Natal. They serve as a platform to showcase the local film and television industry’s diverse talent, creativity, and innovation.
Best supporting actor
Yeni walked away with the Best Supporting Actor award for his role in Mzansi Wethu’s Sibongile and The Dlamini’s.
Yeni moved to Johannesburg to pursue a career in acting, but before he started acting, he had a stint with the Natal Youth Choir as a singer. Then he got to tour with a South African supergroup called “Ladysmith Black Mambazo”.
In 1997, he acted in the SABC3 soap opera Isidingo and then in the SABC2 soap opera Muvhango. In 2006, he joined the third season in the episode entitled “The Three Sisters”.
Yeni, in his acceptance speech, emotionally expressed how he has been in the industry for 25 years and reminisced about how he left Durban and travelled to Joburg to pursue his dream.
“I started this journey 25 years ago and it has been a great, colourful journey and I am grateful for each and every one of you. Twenty-five years and this is my very first nomination and my very first award win,” said Yeni.
Other winners of the night included household names such as Thembinkosi Mthembu (Best Actor, TV), Deli Malinga (Best Actress, TV), Masoja Msiza (Best Actor, Film), Jo-Anne Reyneke (Best Actress, Film), Dr Mbongeni Ngema (Best Supporting Actor), Dr. Thembi Mtshali (Best Supporting Actress, Film and Cynthia Shange.
The awards also paid tribute to KZN, the late Dr Mbongeni Ngema, Mpho Sebeng and others who have departed and left an indelible mark on the South African TV and film industry.
