Stars come out to shine as SABC snubs awards

HOURS before South Africa’s soapie star brigade were to have sashayed down the red carpet in Durban last night, the organisers of the inaugural awards ceremony were scrambling to finalise television coverage of the event.

In the end, the Royalty Soapie Awards — spearheaded by Generations actress Winnie Modise — were not broadcast live on SABC, despite last-minute talks on Friday.

But this did not dim the spirits of the actors and actresses who scooped awards at the Durban event, held to honour excellence in the soapie industry.

Soapie newbie, Isibaya, broadcast on DStv’s Mzansi Magic, won in 10 of the 18 categories.

They included the awards for outstanding soapie and the outstanding lead actor, which went to Siyabonga Twala.

Thembi Nyandeni was the best lead actress.

She gushed: “I am so happy. And I am also happy to be in Durban.”

Isidingo’s Robert Whitehead, who plays Barker Haines in the SABC3 soap, walked away with the male villain award.

The show’s Tema Sebopedi and Motlatsi Mafatshe, who play Sechaba Moloi-Matabane and Lerato Tsotetsi, were the outstanding soapie couple.

Although it was nominated in a number of categories, SABC1’s Generations , which boasts a daily viewership of seven million, walked away empty-handed.

Modise, who plays Khethiwe in Generations , described the awards as “giving birth to a healthy baby.

“The moment has arrived and it’s going to get better,” she said.

On Friday, the organisers held last-minute discussions with the SABC about whether the event would be aired live.

SABC spokesman Kaizer Kganyago said at the time: “Our cameras will be there, but the issue is whether it will be aired live, or recorded and played on a different day.

“The problem we have is that this is the first time an event like this has happened.”