Tshego Koke humbled by his first SAFTA win, a stamp of approval that his work is been seen
Winning a SAFTA for Tshego Koke is more than just receiving a gong but a stamp of approval of the six years that he’s been playing within the entertainment industry.
This win is also testament that one’s past or their start/ beginning doesn’t matter but it is the dedication to the craft that does. Koke, who is also a first time winner, walked away with the coveted Most Popular TV Presenter Award, triumphing over nine other spectacular presenters like Katlego Moabe, Denver Vraagom, Lorna Maseko and Thato Molamu.
“I always thought that my hard work was only noticed by me alone and I am probably the only person cheering for me. I never really had the OG status attached to my craft, regardless of the number of years of being in the industry. But now, the award puts so much emphasis on ‘you’ve been doing it’ and that my formula has been working all along,” he said excitedly over a call.
Koke shares that over the years he hasn’t looked to diversify within the industry, taking the predictable route of DJ’ing or music because his sole purpose of joining the industry was for DJ’ing.
Not forgetting where he comes from and the people that have always rooted for him have been the foundations that have kept him grounded.
“I knew coming into this industry that I have a legion of predecessors who have been growing in their own ways and right. I knew I had to find my own path, living in my own lane and just harnessing my craft. I literally stood in my craft with conviction, regardless of the expectation of changing lanes. I knew why I came into the industry. I am not looking to become a DJ or actor. My dream was always focused and channeled here and I think that is what has kept me improving and working extremely hard,” he said.
Koke, believe it or not, was a fitness trainer before the much desired opportunity presented itself to audition for the VJ search in 2017 where he came up on top.
“I was at a gig when the announcement was made and when I found out about the win, I remember how I sat down for a good 30 minutes digesting the news. I was nominated against people who are so great within the industry and when you look at my type of presenting and the shows that I do, you’d never think these are shows that are being watched by people on a SAFTAs panel.
“The nomination alone was just a huge revelation to me, so the win was a huge surprise. Knowing that my work is being seen, I’ve been in awe of what one’s work can ultimately produce,” he said excitedly.
The 17th South African Film and Television Awards (Saftas) were held at the Gallagher Estate in Midrand, Johannesburg, returning after years of being hosted at the Sandton Convention Centre and Sun City.
The evening marked a triumphant one for the MultiChoice group, scooping a total of 45 awards last Saturday.
The night was also filled with beautiful looks. Click on the Previdar link to see.
SEE WINNERS FULL LIST BELOW:
Best achievement in sound: documentary
Kusasa (Tim Pringle Production, Optical Films, Cape Town TV)
Best achievement in editing: documentary
Kusasa (Joe Krenzer, Optical Films, Cape Town TV)
Best achievement in cinematography: documentary
Changemaker: Simphiwe Rorwana (Yolisa Qwabaza, TCI), e.tv
Best achievement in directing: documentary
Lobola, A Bride’s True Price? (Sihle Hlophe, Passion Seed Communications), SABC1
Best documentary short
A Camera on my Lap (twospinningwheels)
Best made-for-TV documentary
Senzo: Murder of a Soccer Star (Storyscope), Netflix
Best documentary feature
Lobola, A Bride’s True Price? (Passion Seed Communications), SABC1
Best children’s programme
Nick Music Africa (VIS Studios), Nickelodeon Africa
Best educational programme
MTV Shuga: What Makes a Man (Taung Film Studios), MTV Africa
Best factual programme
Rebounders: Grizelda Grootboom (Red Sugar Productions), SABC1
Best competition reality programme
Tropika Island of Treasure: All Stars (Cardova Productions), SABC3
Best structured soapie reality show
Life with Kelly Khumalo (GOAT Originals), Showmax
Best structured/docu-reality show
Sex in Afrikaans (Provoco), Showmax
Best youth programme
TREND (Green Planet Productions), kykNET
Best online content
Lunch with Hitler (Argento Holdings)
Best lifestyle programme
Homegrown Taste South Africa (Rapid Blue), BBC Lifestyle
Best current affairs programme
Mining Takedown, Carte Blanche (Combined Artistic Productions), M-Net
Best made-for-TV movie
Whatever it Takes (RHP International), eVOD
Best international format
Survivor SA: Return of the Outcasts (Afrokaans), M-Net
Best entertainment programme
Miss South Africa 2022 Live Finale (Black Swan Media), M-Net
Best variety show
Sunday Sexy Love (Media24), Mzansi Magic
Best achievement in make-up/hairstyling: TV comedy
How to Ruin Christmas (Silindile Dladla, Burnt Onion Productions), Netflix
Best achievement in wardrobe: TV comedy
Tali’s Joburg Diary (Erin Simon, Sketchbook Studios), Showmax
Best achievement in sound: TV comedy
Hotel (Tim Pringle, Giles Heesom-Green, Melani Robertson, Nagvlug Films), kykNET
Best achievement in art direction: TV comedy
Hotel (Merishen Wessels, Nagvlug Films), kykNET
Best achievement in editing: TV comedy
How to Ruin Christmas (Bongi Malefo, Khulekani Zondi, Melanie Golden, Burnt Onion Productions), Netflix
Best achievement in scriptwriting: TV comedy
Tali’s Joburg Diary (Julia Anastasopoulos, Ari Kruger, Gilli Apter, Daniel Zimbler, Sketchbook Studios), Showmax
Best achievement in cinematography: TV comedy
Hotel (Dino Benedetti, Nagvlug Films), kykNET
Best achievement in directing: TV comedy
Tali’s Joburg Diary (Ari Kruger, Sketchbook Studios), Showmax
Best achievement in make-up/hairstyling: TV drama
Desert Rose (Marika Callop, Quizzical Pictures), M-Net
Best achievement in wardrobe: TV drama
Lavish (Brenda Khambula, Hela Media), Mzansi Magic
Best achievement in sound: TV drama
Donkerbos (Jozua Loots, Nagvlug Films), Showmax
Best achievement in original music/score: TV drama
Ludik (Peach Van Pletzen, Rose and Oaks Media), Netflix
Best in art direction: TV drama
The Brave Ones (Jacobus Smit, Ochre Media), Netflix
Best achievement in editing: TV drama
Justice Served (Nicholas Costaras, Blessing Khulekane Zondi, Megan Gill, Lucian Barnard, Meraki SA), Netflix
Best achievement in cinematography: TV drama
Blood Psalms (Willem Nel, Yellowbone Entertainment, Showmax
Best achievement in scriptwriting: TV drama
Good Men (Portia Gumede, Steven Pillemer, Christo Davids, Duduzile Zamantungwa Mabaso, Sunni Faba, Ochre Media), SABC1
Best achievement in directing: TV drama
Donkerbos (Nico Scheepers, Nagvlug Films), Showmax
Best achievement in make-up and hairstyling: TV soap/telenovela
House of Zwide (Mina Shembe, Itumeleng Ledwaba, Nakedi Makgato, Musa Mnisi, The Bomb Shelter), e.tv
Best achievement in wardrobe: TV soap/telenovela
House of Zwide (Beverly Mogorosi, Teddy Geldart, The Bomb Shelter), e.tv
Best achievement in sound: TV soap/telenovela
Suidooster (Lloyd O’Connor, Suidooster Films), kykNET
Best achievement in editing: TV soap/telenovela
Diepe Waters (Paul Martin van Wyk, Marthinus van Rhyn, Khathu Mudau, Wynand Verster, Rick Dodgen, Daniel de Villiers, Penguin Films), kykNET
Best achievement in original music/score: Telenovela
The Black Door (Mandla Ngcongwane, Jamela Vuma, Kurt Slabbert, Black Brain Pictures), e.tv
Best achievement in cinematography: telenovela
The Black Door (Lavhelani Mudau, Gaopie Kabe, Black Brain Pictures), e.tv
Best achievement in art direction: TV soap/telenovela
Legacy (Amanda Scholtz, Tshedza Pictures), M-Net
Best achievement in scriptwriting: telenovela
DiepCity (Nontuthuzelo Magoxo, Mandla Ngcongwane, Mpumelelo Nhlapo, Black Brain Pictures), Mzansi Magic
Best achievement in directing: telenovela
The Wife (Fikile Mogodi, Stained Glass TV), Showmax
Best achievement in scriptwriting: TV soap
Scandal! (Ameera Patel, Grace Mahlaba, Thomas Hall, Paul Grootboom, Nonhlanhla Simelane, Omphile Molusi, Rosalind Butler; Teresca Muishond, Themba Mahlangu, Kelly Robinson, Ochre Media), e.tv
Best achievement in directing: TV soap
Suidooster (Erina Niemand, Shirley Ellis, Romano Gorlei, Richard September, Suidooster Films), kykNET
Best achievement in make-up/hairstyling: feature film
Silverton Siege (Nicola Roodt, Pambilimedia), Netflix
Best achievement in costume design: feature film
Silverton Siege (Ruy Filipe, Pambilimedia), Netflix
Best achievment in sound design: feature film
Silverton Siege (Barry Donnelly, Pambilimedia), Netflix
Best achievement in editing: feature film
Silverton Siege (Richard Starkey, Pambilimedia), Netflix
Best achievement in production design: feature film
Silverton Siege (Chantel Carter, Pambilimedia), Netflix
Best achievement in original music/score: feature film
Gaia (Pierre-Henri Wicomb, Film Initiative Africa), kykNET
Best achievement in cinematography: feature film
Gaia (Jorrie van der Walt, Film Initiative Africa), kykNET
Best achievement in scriptwriting: feature film
The Umbrella Men (John Barker, Philip Roberts, Known Associates Entertainment), eVOD
Best student film
Shumba (AFDA)
Best supporting actress in a TV soap
Odelle de Wet (Binnelanders, Stark Films), kykNET
Best supporting actor in a TV soap
Charlie Bouguenon (Binnelanders, Stark Films), kykNET
Best supporting actress in a telenovela
Deli Malinga (Redemption, Burnt Onion Productions, Seriti Films), BET
Best supporting actor in a telenovela
Thulani Mtsweni (Gomora, Seriti Films), Mzansi Magic
Best actress in a TV soap
Cindy Swanepoel (Binnelanders, Stark Films), kykNET
Best actor in a TV soap
Melusi Mbele (Scandal!, Ochre Media), e.tv
Best actress in a telenovela
Michelle Botes (Legacy, Tshedza Pictures), M-Net
Best actor in a telenovela
Lawrence Maleka (The River, Tshedza Pictures), 1Magic
Best TV soap
Scandal! (Ochre Media), e.tv
Best telenovela
Legacy (Tshedza Pictures), M-Net
Best supporting actress in a TV drama
Nthati Moshesh (Savage Beauty, Quizzical Pictures), Netflix
Best actor in a TV drama
Morné Visser (Justice Served, Meraki SA), Netflix
Best actress in a TV drama
Lerato Mvelase (Justice Served, Meraki SA), Netflix
Best supporting actor in a TV drama
Craig Urbani (Makoti, Urban Brew Studios), SABC1
Best TV drama
Lavish (Hela Media), Mzansi Magic
Best supporting actress in a TV comedy
Kate Normington (Tali’s Joburg Diary, Sketchbook Studios), Showmax
Best supporting actor in a TV comedy
Desmond Dube (How to Ruin Christmas, Burnt Onion Productions), Netflix
Best actress in a TV comedy
Thando Thabethe (How to Ruin Christmas, Burnt Onion Productions), Netflix
Best actor in a TV comedy
James Borthwick (Hotel, Nagvlug Films), kykNET
Best TV comedy
How to Ruin Christmas (Burnt Onion Productions), Netflix
Best short film
Cogito Ergo Sum (S.S.L Studios)
Best supporting actress in a feature film
Awethu Sharon Hleli (You’re My Favourite Place, Yellowbone Entertainment), eVOD
Best supporting actor in a feature film
Chris Chameleon (Wild is the Wind, MYD88 FILMS), Netflix
Best actress in a feature film
Noxolo Dlamini (Silverton Siege, Pambilimedia), Netflix
Best actor in a feature film
Jarrid Geduld (Indemnity, Gambit Films)
Best achievement in directing: feature film
Gaia (Jaco Bouwer, Film Initiative Africa), kykNET
Best feature film
Gaia (Film Initiative Africa), kykNET
Best natural history and environmental programme
Crocodiles Revealed (Earth Touch), National Geographic Channel
Outstanding person with disability award
Jabaar Mohamed
Youth achiever award
Xolisa Mpafa
Lifetime achiever award
Derek Watts
Lifetime achiever award
Koos Roets
Best TV presenter (public vote)
Tshegofatso Mosupye (Yo MTV Raps Uncapped, VIS Studios), MTV Africa
Most popular TV soap or telenovela (public vote)
Scandal! (Ochre Media), e.tv