Television soap opera newbie, Isibaya, has swept the boards at the inaugural Royalty Soapie Awards (RSAs) at a glittering ceremony at the Durban International Convention Centre on Saturday 8 March.
[full]Isibaya scooped 10 of the 18 categories, leaving the rest of the spoils to be shared amongst industry heavyweights and top audience rated shows.
Isibaya, produced by The Bomb Shelter, and broadcast on Mzansi Magic, channel 161 on DStv scooped all the major awards on the night including Outstanding Soapie, Outstanding Lead Actor (Siyabonga Twala) and Outstanding Lead Actress (Thembi Nyandeni).
Isibaya also dominated the technical categories including Outstanding Directing, Outstanding Art Direction, Outstanding Make-Up, Outstanding Casting Director, Outstanding Lighting and Outstanding Editing.
SABC2’s 7de Laan scooped three statuettes for Outstanding Supporting Actor (Hennie Jacobs), Outstanding Supporting Actress (Annelize van der Ryst) and Outstanding Newcomer (Simoné Nortmann) with Isidingo and The Wild nabbing two RSA’s and Binneland the only other winner on the night with one Royalty Soapie Award for Marisa Drummond in the Outstanding Female Villain category.
Shaleen Surtie-Richards was awarded the Lifetime Achievement Award for her 30 year contribution to the industry and her memorable roles on soapies such as Egoli, Generations and 7de Laan.
The full list of winners on the night is as follows:
Outstanding Lead Actor
Siyabonga Twala as Mpiyakhe Zungu for Isibaya
Outstanding Lead Actress
Thembi Nyandeni as Mkabayi Zungu for Isibaya
Outstanding Male Villain
Robert Whitehead as Barker Haines for Isidingo
Outstanding Female Villain
Marisa Drummond as Alexa for Binneland
Outstanding Soapie
Isibaya
Outstanding Supporting Actor
Hennie Jacobs as Diederik for 7de Laan
Outstanding Supporting Actress
Annelize van der Ryst as Matrone Netta Nortje for 7de Laan[/full]
[full](Winner outstanding couple, Tema Sebopedi and Motlatsi Mafatshe)[/full]
[full]Outstanding Couple
Tema Sebopedi and Motlatsi Mafatshe as Sechaba Moloi as Lerato Tsotetsi and Sechaba Moloi-Matabane for Isidingo
Outstanding Newcomer
Simoné Nortmann as Nadia for 7de Laan
Outstanding Make-up & Hair
Isibaya
Outstanding Set Design
The Wild
Outstanding Writing Team
Isibaya
Outstanding Wardrobe
The Wild
Outstanding Art Direction
Isibaya
Outstanding Directing Team
Isibaya
Outstanding Editing Team
Isibaya
Outstanding Casting Director
Kutlwano Ditsele and Angus Gibson for Isibaya
Outstanding Lighting
Isibaya
The Royalty Soapie Awards were judged by a panel of seasoned television practitioners, media, critics and leading personalities in the entertainment industry. The results were audited by international audit firm KPMG.
Television viewers also had a chance to express their choice. The Favourite Soapie Award went to Binneland for achieving the most public votes.
“After a substantial campaign to bring this project to fruition we are delighted to bestow these honours on soapie practitioners,” said Royalty Soapie Awards project director Sindile Xulu.
“We congratulate all the winners and the participants. We believe that through these awards the overall winner will be the industry as a whole, the South African public and indeed audiences all over the world,” concluded Xulu.
Soapie lovers will get a chance to see all the action on South Africa’s favourite channel SABC1, Mzansi Fo Sho.
“A pre-packaged special will be broadcast on SABC1 on a date to be announced,” said SABC spokesperson, Kaizer Kganyago.
The Royalty Soapie Awards are partnered by the Kwa Zulu Natal Department of Sport and Recreation; Kwa Zulu Natal Department of Economic Development and Tourism, the National Department of Arts and Culture; and supported by the Ethekwini Municipality, SABC1 and Ukhozi FM.
Source – Channel24[/full]