National Film & TV Awards announces 2026 Nominees

National Film & TV Awards announces 2026 Nominees – The National Film & TV Awards South Africa has announced its 2026 nominees. This, recognising outstanding work across film, television and digital entertainment. The fourth annual ceremony takes place on 19 November 2026 at the Theatre of Marcellus, Emperors Palace, Johannesburg.

This year’s shortlist reflects both local favourites and productions that have reached international audiences. Leading the conversation is The Polygamist (Stained Glass Productions). In August 2026 Netflix reported that the series had accumulated 27.6 million views, reached Number One in 21 countries and entered the Top 10 in 62 countries. The longest Global Top 10 Non-English run for a South African title at the time. The series earns multiple nominations, including Best Scripted TV Series, Best TV Drama Series, and acting nods for Gugu Gumede, S’thandiwe Kgoroge, Kwanele Mthethwa and S’dumo Mtshali.

Strong film contenders include Laundry (Uhlanjululo), 180, Dear Sis Dolly, The Trek, Masinga: The Calling, Black Burns Fast, Love and Wine and Yoh! Bestie. Variations on a Theme filmmakers Jason Jacobs and Devon Delmar are nominated for Best Director.
Television nominees span established hits and newer titles.
Blood Legacy, The Four of Us, Critical But Stable, Mpondoland, Inimba and Levels feature prominently across acting and series categories. Standout performers include Sindi Dlathu, Lunathi Mampofu, Tina Jaxa, Bonko Khoza, Thembekile Komani, Wiseman Mncube and Thembinkosi Mthembu. The Best Newcomer category, sponsored by Mentos, highlights emerging talent including Mila Smith (Black Burns Fast), Zekhethelo Zondi (Laundry) and Liyabona Mroqoza (The Last Ranger).

Personality and presenting categories recognise familiar faces such

Personality and presenting categories recognise familiar faces such as Bonang Matheba, Minnie Dlamini, Zanele Potelwa, Katlego Maboe and Smash Afrika, while competition and dating shows including Big Brother Mzansi, MasterChef South Africa, Married at First Sight Mzansi and Tropika Island of Treasure also feature.

Public voting is now livethe ceremony on 19 November 2026.The 4th annual National Film & TV Awards 2026 – Official Nominations List

Trix Vivier – The Trek
Didintle Khunou – Dear Sis Dolly
Shamilla Miller – Masinga: The Calling
Natasha Thahane – Dear Sis Dolly
Masali Baduza – Love and Wine
Katlego Lebogang – Yoh! Bestie
Esihle Ndleleni – Black Burns Fast
Sinokuhle Ngubeni – Abafana Ababi 2
Noxolo Dlamini – 180
Bukamina Cebekhulu – Laundry (Uhlanjululo)
S’thandiwe Kgoroge – Dear Sis Dolly
Zekhethelo Zondi – Laundry (Uhlanjululo)
Carine Rous – Bride of the Year
Tumi Morake – Seriously Single Too
Fulu Modibedi – Seriously Single Too

Morné Visser – The Trek Ntobeko Sishi –

Morné Visser – The Trek
Ntobeko Sishi – Laundry (Uhlanjululo)
Prince Grootboom – 180
Hakeem Kae-Kazim – Masinga: The Calling
Thobani Nzuza – God’s Work
Rob van Vuuren – The Trek
Thomas Gumede – Abafana Ababi 2
Mbulelo Radebe – God’s Work
Siya Raymond Sepotokele – Yoh! Bestie
Matli Mohapeloa – Abafana Ababi 2
Siyabonga Shibe – Laundry (Uhlanjululo)
Armand Aucamp – Bride of the Year
Thandolwethu Zondi – Phambili Nge Gwijo

3. Best Actress in a TV Series

Gugu Gumede – The Polygamist (Season 1)
Sindi Dlathu – The Four of Us (Season 1)
Lunathi Mampofu – Levels (Season 1)
Tina Jaxa – Mpondoland (Season 1)
Xolile Tshabalala – Blood Legacy (Season 2)
Motsoaledi Setumo – Critical But Stable (Season 1)
Khabonina Qubeka – Emzini (Season 1)
S’thandiwe Kgoroge – The Polygamist (Season 1)
Rorisang Mohapi-Grootboom – Kwa Baba (Season 1)
Mpume “Six” Nyamane – Homecoming (Season 1)
Winnie Ntshaba – Land of Mills and Money (Season 1)
Kwanele Mthethwa – The Polygamist (Season 1)
Khabonina Qubeka – Emzini (Season 1)
Kealeboga Masango – The Four of Us (Season 1)
Rami Chuene – The Four of Us (Season 1)
Tsholofelo Matshaba – Nyala O (Season 1)
Motshabi Tyelele – Emzini (Season 1)
Andrea Dondolo – Inimba (Season 2)
Mapaseka Koetle – Nyala O (Season 1)

4. Best Actor in a TV Series – Sponsored by The Luggage Company

S’dumo Mtshali – The Polygamist (Season 1)
Bonko Khoza – Levels (Season 1)
Thembekile Komani – Mpondoland (Season 1)
Wiseman Mncube – Emzini (Season 1)
Vuyo Biyela – Kwa Baba (Season 1)
Thembinkosi Mthembu – Homecoming (Season 1)
Fortune Thobejane – Critical But Stable (Season 1)
Albert Pretorius – Die Kantoor (Season 1)
Motlatsi Mafatshe – Nyala O (Season 1)
Zamani Mbatha – Land of Mills and Money (Season 1)
Lawrence Maleka – Critical But Stable (Season 1)
Luzuko Nkqeto – Mpondoland (Season 1)
Thabo Malema – Critical But Stable (Season 1)
Muzi Mthabela – Emzini (Season 1)
Thabiso Ramotshela – Youngins (Season 3)
Loyiso MacDonald – Inimba (Season 2)
Mpilo Mbatha – Homecoming (Season 1)
Themba Ndaba – Land of Mills and Money (Season 1)
Sisa Hewana – Inimba (Season 2)

5. Best Supporting Actor in a Film

Jerry Mofokeng – Dear Sis Dolly Warren Masemola

Jerry Mofokeng – Dear Sis Dolly
Warren Masemola – 180
Abdul Khoza – Masinga: The Calling
Solomon Sebothoma – Dear Sis Dolly
Fana Mokoena – 180
Kagiso Modupe – Yoh! Bestie
Desmond Dube – 180
Yonda Thomas – Yoh! Bestie

6. Best Supporting Actress in a Film

Leah Lindeque – The Trek
Zenobia Kloppers – 180
Abigail Kubeka – Dear Sis Dolly
Didie Makobane – Yoh! Bestie
Danica De La Rey Jones – 180
Camilla Borghesani – The Trek
Tracy September – Laundry (Uhlanjululo)
Altovise Lawrence – Yoh! Bestie
Laura-Lee Mostert – Bride of The Year
Buntu Petse – Seriously Single Too

7. Best Supporting Actor in a TV Series

Kenneth Nkosi – The Polygamist (Season 1)
Kwenzo Ngcobo – Red Ink (Season 1)
Pallance Dladla – Blood Legacy (Season 2)
Wonder Ndlovu – The Polygamist (Season 1)
Bheki Mkhwane – Levels (Season 1)
Sabelo Radebe – Homecoming (Season 1)
Tabile Tau – Youngins (Season 3)
Mike Ndlangamandla – Blood Legacy (Season 2)
Elliot Makhubo – Isibhamu (Season 1)

8. Best Supporting Actress in a TV Series

Zenande Mfenyana – Inimba (Season 2) Rami Chuene

Zenande Mfenyana – Inimba (Season 2)
Rami Chuene – The Four of Us (Season 1)
Samkelo Ndlovu – Inimba (Season 2)
Luyanda Zwane – The Polygamist (Season 1)
Lwazie Keith Tsebesha – The Polygamist (Season 1)
Pascaline Phale – The Four of Us (Season 1)
Nono Mofokeng – Levels (Season 1)
Lerato Mokoka – Isibhamu (Season 1)
Nobuhle Mahlasela – Stokvel (Season 1)
Lerato Marabe – Skeem Saam (Season 15)
Phumeza Matoti – Inimba (Season 2)
Mpumi Khuzwayo – Inimba (Season 2)

9. Best Newcomer – Sponsored by Mentos

Oratile Mmola – Bogaditšong: Sister Wives
Relebogile Mothapo – Skeem Saam
Makgomo Mahlangu – Generations: The Legacy
Nomfundo Radebe – eGagasini: Waves of Change
Londeka Mkhwanazi – eGagasini: Waves of Change
Manqoba Khumalo – Emzini: A Family Legacy
Rico Fourie – Kelders van Geheime
Mila Smith – Black Burns Fast
Zekhethelo Zondi – Laundry (Uhlanjululo)
Liyabona Mroqoza – The Last Ranger

10. Best Scripted TV Series – Sponsored by Khiee23Hair

The Polygamist (Season 1)
Blood Legacy (Season 2)
Critical But Stable (Season 1)
Mpondoland (Season 1)
The Four of Us (Season 1)
Inimba (Season 2)
Red Ink (Season 1)
Die Kantoor (Season 1)
Stokvel (Season 1)
Kwa Baba (Season 1)
Youngins (Season 3)
eGagasini: Waves of Change (Season 1)
Nyala O (Season 1)
Isibhamu (Season 1)
Outlaws (Season 2)
Amalanga Awafani (Season 2)
Skeem Saam (Season 15)
Binnelanders (Season 22)

11. Best Male TV Personality, Sponsored by Channel ONE Africa

Musa Mseleku – Uthando neS’thembu (Season 9) Smash

Musa Mseleku – Uthando neS’thembu (Season 9)
Smash Afrika – Big Brother Mzansi (Season 6)
Lawrence Maleka – Critical But Stable (Season 1)
TT Mbha – Mzansi Ex-Offenders
David Mashabela – The King David Studio Podcast
Fezile Mkhize – Top Billing
Andrew “Benji” Benjamin – MasterChef South Africa (Season 6)
Rian van Heerden – Laataand by Rian
Graeme Richards – Expresso Morning Show
Katlego Maboe – Deal or No Deal South Africa
Andile Ncube – Soccerzone
Moshe Ndiki – Suxoka

12. Best Female TV Personality

Zanele Potelwa – Tropika Island of Treasure (Season 12)
Lerato Mvelase – Married at First Sight Mzansi (Season 3)
Khanyi Mars – HotSpot Seli
Munaka Muthambi – HotSpot Seli
Bonang Matheba – Afternoon Express & Top Billing
Minnie Dlamini – AFCON Daily Show
Zozibini Tunzi – Top Billing
Ayanda G Thabethe – Afternoon Expresss
Kim Jayde – Kickn it with Kim Jayde

Zanele Potelwa – Tropika Island of Treasure (Season 12)
Smash Afrika – Big Brother Mzansi (Season 6)
Carissa Cupido – Expresso Morning Show
Khanyi Mars – HotSpot Seli
Munaka Muthambi – HotSpot Seli
Penny Lebyane – Eintlek Let’s Connect
Rian van Heerden – Laataand by Rian
Graeme Richards – Expresso Morning Show
Devi Sankaree Govender – The Devi Show
Pamela Mtanga – VIP Lounge
Zulu Mkhathini – VIP Lounge
Kuhle Adams – Expresso Show
Kyle Clark – Expresso Show
MaBlerh – The Real Housewives Ultimate Girls Trip: Africa
Fran-Rico Lucas – Eintlek Let’s Connect
Dineo Langa – Love is Blind South Africa
Katlego Maboe – Deal or No Deal South Africa
Ayanda G Thabethe – Expresso Show
Kulani Keagile – Reno Race

Schalk Bezuidenhout Vafa Naraghi Tumi Morake Felix Hlophe

Schalk Bezuidenhout
Vafa Naraghi
Tumi Morake
Felix Hlophe
Trevor Gumbi
Thabo Malema
Celeste Ntuli
David Kau
Tsitsi Chiumya
Robby Collins
Mashabela Galane
Skhumba Hlophe
Eugene Khoza
Loyiso Gola
Riaad Moosa
Khanyisa Jam Jam
Conrad Koch
Sifiso Nene
Dillan Oliphant
Rob van Vuuren

Big Brother Mzansi (Season 6)
MasterChef South Africa (Season 6)
Married at First Sight Mzansi (Season 3)
Tropika Island of Treasure (Season 12)
Deal or No Deal South Africa (Season 13)
Nyama Battle: The Mother City (Season 2)
The Masked Singer South Africa (Season 3)
Ultimate Braai Master (Season 9)
The Taste Master Junior (Season 3)
Colour Your Plate with KOO (Season 5)
Boer soek ’n vrou (Season 18)
Op My Eish! (Season 4)
The Catch (Season 1)

16. Best Dating Show – Sponsored by Married.Community

Mageza Wants a Wife (Season 1)
Date My Family (Season 13)
Single & Mingle (Season 20)
Op My Eish! (Season 4)
Chuz’ Maz’khethela (Season 4)
Married at First Sight Mzansi (Season 3)
Boer soek ’n vrou (Season 18)

HotSpot Seli Eintlek Let’s Connect Top Billing Life

HotSpot Seli
Eintlek Let’s Connect
Top Billing
Life with Londie London (Season 1)
Yash’ingoma (Season 3)
The Real Housewives Ultimate Girls Trip: Africa
Untied
Big Brother Mzansi (Season 6)
Dating #NoFilter South Africa (Season 2)
Married at First Sight Mzansi (Season 3)
Expresso Show
Boer soek ’n vrou (Season 18)
Nandi & The Rev (Season 2)

Class of ’96: Rise of a Nation
What We Know
Vulindlela
Ezase Zola
The Unspoken War
Bad Behaviour
Brakpan Chronicles
Beauty and the Bester
The People vs VBS
Die Bom: Die geheime verhaal van Suid-Afrika se kernwapens
Tweespalt
Great African Crimes with Mandy Wiener (Season 2)
The Trials of Winnie Mandela

19. Outstanding Performance, Sponsored by Madepossible.ai

Prince Grootboom – 180
Gugu Gumede – The Polygamist (Season 1)
S’dumo Mtshali – The Polygamist (Season 1)
Mapaseka Koetle – Nyala O (Season 1)
Khojane Morai – Isibhamu (Season 1)
Rorisang Mohapi-Grootboom – Kwa Baba (Season 1)
Didintle Khunou – Dear Sis Dolly
Noxolo Dlamini – 180
Kwanele Mthethwa – The Polygamist (Season 1)
Thembinkosi Mthembu – The Four of Us (Season 1)
Lawrence Maleka – Future Tense

The Trek 180 Laundry (Uhlanjululo) Dear Sis Dolly

The Trek
180
Laundry (Uhlanjululo)
Dear Sis Dolly
Masinga: The Calling
God’s Work
Treasure Hunt
Black Burns Fast
Love and Wine
Khaki Fever
The Smell of Apples (Die Reuk van Appels)
Yoh! Bestie
Bride of the Year
Crazy Heist
Seriously Single Too
Phambili Nge Gwijo

Meekaaeel Adam – The Trek
Zamo Mkhwanazi – Laundry (Uhlanjululo)
Twiggy Matiwana – Dear Sis Dolly
Michael James – God’s Work
Jason Jacobs & Devon Delmar – Variations on a Theme
Zolani Phakade, Nthabi Tau & Michael Sebonego – Nyala O (Season 1)
Sandulela Asanda – Black Burns Fast
Robert dos Santos – This Is How the World Ends
Alex Yazbek – 180
Akin Omotoso, Rolie Nikiwe & Nthabi Tau – The Polygamist (Season 1)
Nthabiseng Tau – Mpondoland (Season 1)
Brett Michael Innes – Khaki Fever
Amanda Lane – Love and Wine
Chim Onyebilanma – Treasure Hunt
Thapelo Sebogodi & Krijay Govender – The Four of Us (Season 1)
Johnny Barbuzano – Yoh! Bestie
Thembalethu Mfebe, Ferry Jele, Jedi Mulovhedzi, and Pheello Pj Makosholo – Homecoming
Thembalethu Mfebe – Outlaws (Season 2)

22. Best Producer, Sponsored by The Theatre of Marcellus

Gugu Zuma-Ncube, Thuli Zuma & Pepsi Pokane – The Polygamist (Season 1)
James C. Williamson – The Trek
Zamo Mkhwanazi, Philippe Coeytaux, Jim Stark and Nicolas Wadimoff – Laundry (Uhlanjululo)
Sithabile Mkhize, Marco Orsini, Toni Monty and Gary Springer – God’s Work
Tshepiso Chikapa Phiri, Moroba Nkawe – Dear Sis Dolly
Bradley Joshua, Benjamin Overmeyer, Nosipho Dumisa-Ngoasheng, Daryne Joshua, Travis Taute and Simon Beesley – Blood Legacy (Season 2)
Layla Swart – 180
Cait Pansegrouw – Black Burns Fast
Phathutshedzo Makwarela & Gwydion Beynon – The Four of Us (Season 1)
Athos Kyriakides – Class of ’96: Rise of a Nation
Elle Oosthuizen, Wim Steyn – The People vs VBS
Lauren Nell – Nyala O (Season 1)
Kopano Molokoane, Thato Maphanga, Katlego Mphela – Crazy Heist
Tiffany Barbuzano, Johnny Barbuzano – Yoh! Bestie
Luke Rous, Joshua Rous, Tumelo Mmatladi, Lance Durwin Julies – Bride of the Year
Siphosethu Tshapu – Inimba

23. Celebrity Personality of the Year, Sponsored by Emperor’s Palace

Bonang Matheba Anele Mdoda Musa Mseleku Dineo Langa

Bonang Matheba
Anele Mdoda
Musa Mseleku
Dineo Langa
Natasha Thahane
Minnie Dlamini
Lasizwe Dambuza
Londie London
Jojo Robinson
Somizi Mhlongo
Penny Lebyane
Fran-Rico Lucas
MaBlerh
Ama Qamata
Thando Thabethe

Stained Glass Productions
Tshedza Pictures
The Ntintili Factory
Known Associates Entertainment
Urucu Media
Gambit Films
BriteSpark Films
Barkers Media
A Barking Rat Film
Quizzical Pictures
IdeaCandy
Blended Films
Homebrew Films
Wolflight Films
Local Motion Pictures
GOAT Originals
Origins Pictures
Urban Brew Studios
Singa Vision Productions
Grounded Productions
BBZEE Films
Ten30 Pictures
Burnt Onion Productions
The Milton Empire

25. Best Television / Streaming Network

Netflix
Mzansi Magic
tv
kykNET
SABC1
M-Net
Prime Video Africa
SABC+
Channel ONE Africa
eVOD
kykNET & kie
Bravo Africa
DStv Stream
SABC2

26. Best Non-Scripted TV Series

Uthando neS’thembu (Season 9) Big Brother Mzansi (Season

Uthando neS’thembu (Season 9)
Big Brother Mzansi (Season 6)
Married at First Sight Mzansi (Season 3)
Tropika Island of Treasure (Season 12)
The Real Housewives Ultimate Girls Trip: Africa
Life with Londie London (Season 1)
The Makhenes (Season 1)
Nandi & The Rev (Season 2)
Mnakwethu (Season 5)
The Real City Makoti (Season 1)
The Morning Cup
Reno Race

The Polygamist (Season 1)
Mpondoland (Season 1)
Levels (Season 1)
The Four of Us (Season 1)
Blood Legacy (Season 2)
Critical But Stable (Season 1)
Kwa Baba (Season 1)
Nyala O (Season 1)
Stokvel (Season 1)
Homecoming (Season 2)
Inimba (Season 2)
iThonga (Season 1)
Land of Mills and Money (Season 1)
Outlaws (Season 2)

Ideas That Matter with Vusi Thembekwayo
Open Chats Podcast
The Sobering Podcast
The Penuel Show – Penuel Mlotshwa
L-Tido Podcast – L-Tido
The Money Show – Stephen Grootes
Choppin It with Bhuda T
The Tswyza Show
What Now? with Trevor Noah
Against The Wall Podcast – Skeem GP

Die Kantoor (Season 1) Appels en Tee (Season

Die Kantoor (Season 1)
Appels en Tee (Season 1)
Die Oord (Season 1)
Paradys (Season 1)
Kelders van Geheime (Season 2)
Diepe Waters (Season 5)
Reënboogrant (Season 2)
Koek (Season 2)
Skemergrond (Season 3)
Een keer om die son (Season 2)
Wyfie

30. Best Current News Programme

Carte Blanche
Morning Live
The Full View
SA Today
Prime News (DStv Channel 405 – Newzroom Afrika)
SABC Morning Live – Sakina Kamwendo & Liezle Wilson
Checkpoint – Nkepile Mabuse
eNCA NewsNight with Abigail Visagie
The Devi Show with Devi Sankaree Govender
Rise and Shine – Peter Ndoro (Channel Africa)
Power to Truth – Dr. JJ Tabane
Leihlo La Sechaba – Raymond Mojapelo
Expresso Morning Show

Voting details
Public voting opened 19 October 2026 at 13:00 and closes 17 November 2026 at 12:00 exclusively

Winners will be announced live at the National Film & TV Awards ceremony at the Theatre of Marcellus, at Emperor’s Palace, Johannesburg.