Saftas flood for M-Net’s ‘The River’

● All roads led to Sun City Superbowl last night for the 13th annual South African Film and Television Awards (Saftas), where gripping telenovela The River walked away with 10 golden horn awards.

The nail-biting series, which first aired on M-Net channel 1Magic in January last year, has become a firm favourite among viewers.

The River scored 17 Safta nominations, leaving its competitors in the dust.

It took home awards for best telenovela, best scriptwriting, best music, best editing, best sound, best cinematography, best directing and best supporting actor. Actress Moshidi Motshegwa, who recently revealed that her contract on The River had not been renewed, won the award for best actress in a telenovela, while co-star Presley Chweneyagae took home the best actor in a telenovela award.

Kgomotso Christopher clinched the award for best actress in a TV soap for her role on Scandal!, while best actor in a TV soap went to Jamie Bartlett for Rhythm City.

Uzalo won best TV soap award, as well as two other trophies.

The team behind the hilarious Netflix comedy show Tali’s Wedding Diary also left smiling, with five awards.

Dawn Thandeka King and her co-star Lorcia Cooper clinched best actress and best supporting actress in the TV drama category for their roles in Lockdown 2.

This year’s judging panel was made up of 200 industry experts and included producer and director Firdoze Bulbulia and veteran actress Thembi Mtshali-Jones.

The event was hosted by radio personalities Pearl Modiadie and Thomas Msengana and the audience was treated to performances by Bongo Maffin, Sho Madjozi, Prince Kaybee and Boity.