The 19th South African Film and Television Awards (SAFTAs) took place on 14 March 2026 in Johannesburg, and several major names came away with top honours. Among the standout winners were Zenande Mfenyana, Nelisiwe Sibiya, Bonko Khoza, and Gail Mabalane, while Inimba also had a strong night with two awards.
SAFTAs 2026 Big Winners
One of the biggest talking points from this year’s ceremony was Zenande Mfenyana winning her first SAFTA after nearly two decades in the industry. Nelisiwe Sibiya, Bonko Khoza, and Gail Mabalane were also named among the evening’s major winners. News24’s coverage also noted that Mzansi Magic’s Inimba celebrated a double win.
Full Results from the South African Film Awards 2026
From the reporting available so far, these are the winners clearly confirmed in published coverage:
- Zenande Mfenyana — SAFTA winner at the 2026 ceremony.
- Nelisiwe Sibiya — Best Actress in a Telenovela for iThonga.
- Bonko Khoza was named among the major winners of the night.
- Gail Mabalane was named among the major winners of the night.
- Inimba won two awards.
Highlights from the SAFTAs 2026
This year’s awards felt special because they mixed long-overdue personal wins with strong recognition for popular South African TV productions. Zenande Mfenyana’s win was especially emotional because it marked her first SAFTA in a 19-year career. Nelisiwe Sibiya’s win for iThonga also became one of the headline moments after the ceremony.
The event itself was held on 14 March 2026, and red-carpet coverage showed stars including Thuso Mbedu, Gail Mabalane, Shoki Mmola, Gugu Gumede, Michelle Mosalakae, and Nelisiwe Sibiya attending the 19th SAFTAs in Johannesburg.
Why the 2026 SAFTAs Matter
The SAFTAs remain one of the biggest platforms for recognising achievement in South African film and television. This year’s winners list showed strong support for TV talent and established performers, while also giving some artists long-awaited recognition. Based on the available coverage, the 2026 edition was as much about career milestones as it was about trophies.
