Veterans shine at the Saftas

07 April 2014 - 02:01 By Patience Bambalele
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FUNNY WINNER: Obed Baloyi was chosen as the best actor in a TV comedy for his role in 'Ga Re Dumele' at the South African Film and Television Awards (Saftas) at Gallagher Estate, Midrand, at the weekend
FUNNY WINNER: Obed Baloyi was chosen as the best actor in a TV comedy for his role in 'Ga Re Dumele' at the South African Film and Television Awards (Saftas) at Gallagher Estate, Midrand, at the weekend
Image: VELI NHLAPO

Actress Tina Jaxa, who won two awards at the South African Film and Television Awards this weekend , promised to continue working hard.

Jaxa said she wanted to give herself a pat on the back for her "greatest achievement".

The Saftas took place on Friday and Saturday nights at Gallagher Estate in Midrand.

The Cape Town-based actress took home awards for the best actress in a television drama series for Intersexions and best supporting actress in feature film Of Good Report.

Jaxa has been acting for 30 years. She has been on Madam and Eve, Isidingo, Khululeka, Charlie Jade, Montana, The Final Verdict and Chandies. She has also acted in several theatre productions, such as Skewe Sirkel, Rygrond and Soweto.

"This was the biggest achievement [of my acting career]. Winning two awards means I need to continue working hard," she said.

Siyabonga Thwala also shone with two awards on Saturday. He was named the best actor in a TV drama (Intersexions) and best male actor in a soapie (Isibaya).

"This is amazing, and thank you. Let's continue telling our beautiful stories," Thwala said in his award-acceptance speech.

Thwala made his acting debut in a movie Born Free: A New Adventure (1996), and has since appeared on soapies Scandal!, Generations and Rhythm City.

Last month he was chosen as the best actor in a soapie at the Royalty Soapie Awards in Durban, KwaZulu-Natal.

Isibaya, the Mzansi Magic soapie, also dominated the Saftas by scooping more major awards. Out of 12 nominations the show received, it went home with three accolades.

The series has picked up 13 awards since it was established in 2012. ZA News, a news comedy show that is flighted on Top TV, also won three awards.

The best soapie award, which was voted by the public, went to 7de Laan, the SABC2 favourite.

Celebrated singer and actress Abigail Kubeka received a lifetime achievement award.

Kubeka said: "We did this [acting] for nothing, but we continued because we loved it."

SABC1 drama series Intersexions season 2 walked away with three awards.

Soap operas Generations, Muvhango, Isidingo and Rhythm City left empty-handed.

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