The future of film: women win big at the Simon Sabela Awards
Topping the winners list this year was Rethabile Ramaphakela's Disaster Holiday with four major awards.
A surprise winner was newbie Dineo Nxumalo, the youngest of the teen and tween entrants, who won in the Newcomer Actress category.
Both were proud of the progress being made by women in film, and said it was high time they got their dues.
'You always come to these things and you think maybe I'll get one,' said Ramaphakele, who walked away with wins for Best Pan African Film, Best Feature Film, Best Production Design, and Best Use of KZN as a Filming Location.
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IOL News
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From obstacles to opportunities: the positive impact of AI on film-making
Young film-makers are being hailed for their use of technology in making movies like 'Disaster Holiday' which won four Simon 'Mabhunu' Sabela Awards this past weekend. Image: File Young film-makers and content creators are on an upward trajectory, thanks to advances in technology and artificial intelligence that have helped remove obstacles in their path. It is a sentiment shared by many, including Jackie Motsepe, COO of the KwaZulu-Natal Tourism and Film Authority, and legendary South African film-maker Angus Gibson, who was presented with the Lifetime Achievement Award at its Simon 'Mabhunu' Sabela gala function at the Durban International Convention Centre this past Saturday. Lifetime Achievement Award recipient, filmmaker Angus Gibson, pictured with Dr Sibusiso Ndebele, chairperson of the KZNTAFA board. Image: Supplied Video Player is loading. Play Video Play Unmute Current Time 0:00 / Duration -:- Loaded : 0% Stream Type LIVE Seek to live, currently behind live LIVE Remaining Time - 0:00 This is a modal window. Beginning of dialog window. Escape will cancel and close the window. Text Color White Black Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Transparency Opaque Semi-Transparent Background Color Black White Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Transparency Opaque Semi-Transparent Transparent Window Color Black White Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Transparency Transparent Semi-Transparent Opaque Font Size 50% 75% 100% 125% 150% 175% 200% 300% 400% Text Edge Style None Raised Depressed Uniform Dropshadow Font Family Proportional Sans-Serif Monospace Sans-Serif Proportional Serif Monospace Serif Casual Script Small Caps Reset restore all settings to the default values Done Close Modal Dialog End of dialog window. Advertisement Next Stay Close ✕ Motsepe told "Independent Media Lifestyle" that the calibre of entrants in this year's awards - in its twelfth year - stands out, and she attributed this to technological advances and the dedication of mentors who have helped hone the skills of newcomers who are enlisted into the authority's internship programme, which takes in 30 trainees each year. "They are making content through their own devices, and every single day, people in KwaZulu-Natal are working on productions, so we're seeing sharpened skills, whether in acting or script writing," she said. Gibson, who received the Lifetime Achievement Award for his contribution to the growth and depth of African storytelling and groundbreaking work on productions such as "Yizo Yizo", "Shaka iLembe" and countless documentary features, went a step further, saying that digital technology had democratised the industry. "I have a theory that digital media, the video camera you're using right now, has kind of democratised the process of film-making, it is no longer an elite thing," he said. Rethabile Ramaphakela and the cast of 'Disaster Holiday' accept the award for Best Feature Film at the Simon 'Mabhunu' Sabela Awards. Image: Supplied Rethabile Ramaphakela, who accepted the Best Feature Film Award for "Disaster Holiday", which she wrote and directed, added: "I definitely think technology has changed things. "When I was at film school, I didn't have a phone that had high-quality enough to make content. Even now, with TikTok, creatives are n making their own stories. "Technology has helped, but on the other side, we have AI coming in and we're not too sure what that means for jobs, so it is a little scary. "But what I always say is that the heart of a film can never be recreated by a computer or machine. Human beings make hearts, and they can't replicate that," she said. During a webinar on Wednesday, hosted by Russian media outlet Sputnik, its AI Project Head, Egor Arkhipov, made the point that video content production has been made so much faster through AI, freeing up creatives to spend more time on flexing their imagination instead of tedious research, rendering and editing. "When we look at the history of us as homo sapiens, there has always been shifts and technological advances that have neutralised certain types of work to be needless, and new types of jobs have opened up," he said, adding that AI creates opportunities for people to be more imaginative, while they leave the "heavy lifting" to artificial intelligence.
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23-07-2025
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Is SA ready to be the next Hollywood? Here's what our stars had to say
The Simon Sabela Awards returned for another night of glitz and glam at the weekend. While everyone was looking for the best outfits of the night, many top awards were dished out to the cast and crews of the past year's top productions produced in KZN. This year's theme called on attendees to have 'giants of storytelling' in mind, and TimesLIVE sought to find out how South Africa could become a giant of TV and filmmaking like our counterparts in Hollywood. Here's what the guests had to say. We have diverse stories that we need to tap into says Ziya Xulu. Image: Thobela Khumalo PORTIA NCWANE We have to keep the original stories and not try to modernise them too much. If we can keep the authenticity we have right now by maintaining our customs and cultures, we will never go wrong. ZIYA XULU The Africans. That sounds so redundant but honestly it's the Africans and the stories we have to tell. We have diverse stories, we have diverse languages, we have diverse ideas and we just need to tap into them. KHAYA DLADLA They must give me more jobs — I'm joking. Nothing is as authentic as telling our own stories. We have to tell our own stories to the world, and we can be epic. JACKIE MOTSEPE We have stories that resonate with our audience. The local content that we produce is the most consumed not only in South Africa but throughout the continent. That in itself makes us a giant, because they are being appreciated by core audiences. Where we need to grow is in making that content commercial so that people in the industry are able to make a living from the work they do to sustain themselves and their families. And that is what we need to get right, because people should get a return on investment from the work they produce. Image: Supplied RETHABILE RAMAPHAKELA The fact that we are able to tell stories already makes us a giant, and they travel globally. My film Disaster Holiday was on the Netflix global top 10 and I would never have expected that. I was making a road trip family film and there it is being enjoyed by the world, but most loved in South Africa. ANGUS GIBSON I think we've got a way to go before we are a giant. I think we are on our way there. We should be making things like Peter Jackson's Lord of the Rings trilogy. We shouldn't feel like we can't do that. I think we are on the road and we've got to aim high. MUSA MSELEKU When we entered the television space, I think we influenced that space. Many people who want to leave a mark on TV tend to copy exactly what we have been doing. When we entered that space we changed it. Our champions of storytelling will not only be seen in Africa — they will travel the world. MBUYISELO VILAKAZI First, I see a lot of women getting opportunities and that's a great way of empowering the nation. I like the representation we see from queer filmmakers as well in South Africa. NKANYISO MAKHANYA I think we already are giants. People are telling our own stories in other countries without even asking us about them. It's just that we need a platform to push us further on the global stage. ZAMANTU KHOZA We're always unpredictable. It's something that makes me look forward to seeing African storytelling, from films to TV series. Also, we always have great newcomers. Last year I was a newcomer nominee. It's exciting because we are always making space for new talent to come into the entertainment industry.
IOL News
22-07-2025
- IOL News
Heritage, creativity and excellence shine at KZN Film and TV Awards
The cast of Disaster Holiday accepts the award as the film steals the show at the Simon 'Mabhunu' Sabela Awards. Image: Supplied A movie about a dad taking his family to Durban - Disaster Holiday - took centre stage when film and television industry players gathered at the Inkosi Albert Luthuli International Convention Centre on Saturday, July 19, for the Simon 'Mabhunu' Sabela KZN Film & TV Awards hosted by the KwaZulu-Natal Tourism and Film Authority (KZNTAFA). The movie scooped the prestigious Best Feature Film award, in addition to winning in all three other categories it was nominated - Best Pan African Film, Best Production Design (Kagiso Malefane) and Best Use of KwaZulu-Natal as a Film Location (Burnt Onion Productions). This year's theme - 'Africa's Giants of Storytelling: From Piers to Pages' - captured the spirit of a night rooted in heritage, creativity and excellence, with awards being presented in 25 categories. The red carpet, hosted by Khaya Dladla, was awash with traditional attire, bold reds and sensational gowns, with guests playing up to the theme of 'dress as a giant of African storytelling'. There were some wise words shared by those who came to heap glory on their colleagues in the creative sector. Poet Gcinamasiko Mhlophe told reporters that African storytelling had come a long way, and was finally being recognised. Jackie Motsepe, KZNTAFA COO, said that the calibre of entrants in this year's awards - in its 12th year - stood out. She attributed this to technological changes and the dedication of mentors who helped hone the skills of newcomers enlisted in the authority's internship programme, which takes in 30 trainees each year. Lifetime Achievement Award recipient, filmmaker Angus Gibson, pictured with Dr Sibusiso Ndebele, chairperson of the KZNTAFA board, Image: Supplied Image: Supplied 'The jury members have been here for a long time, and they noticed the quality has improved,' said Motsepe. 'They are making content through their own devices, and every single day, people in KwaZulu-Natal are working on productions; so we're seeing sharpened skills, whether in acting or script writing. 'We're proud to see KZN emerging as a strong player on the African and global film map. The Simon 'Mabhunu' Sabela Awards continue to honour excellence while driving the industry forward.' Beacon of possibility The Simon 'Mabhunu' Sabela Awards is the province's premier film event and forms part of Film Month's three pillars that also include the Durban International Film Festival (DIFF) and the Durban FilmMart. Dr Sibusiso Ndebele, KZNTAFA board chairperson, said Film Month 'gives structure to our aspirations and momentum to our progress, and is a beacon of what's possible when a province commits fully to economic growth through the creative arts and film'. The night belonged to Rethabile Ramaphakela, who accepted the Best Feature Film award for Disaster Holiday, which she wrote and directed. She told Daily News that the family romp movie had been trending on the Netflix top 5 in December and in the top 10 in the world. "To win Best Feature Film is insane. When you make a movie, you wonder, will people watch it - and then this happens, where a movie about KZN wins Best Feature Film in KZN. It is absolutely incredible! 'It's not just a win for us — it's a win for the entire team, for the storytellers behind the scenes, and for the province of KwaZulu-Natal, which gave us such a beautiful canvas to work on," she said. The movie was funded by KZNTAFA, which also funded five other projects that were nominated for awards. KZN shines In the television category, Kwenzokuhle Ngcobo took home Best Actor for his role in 'Scandal", while Nqobile Magwaza bagged Best Actress for her performance in "Smoke and Mirrors". In film, Ntando Mncube (Themba) and Sibongiseni Shezi (Umjolo: The Gone Girl) scooped the top acting awards. Legendary filmmaker, Angus Gibson, was presented with the Lifetime Achievement Award for his contribution to the growth and depth of African storytelling; with groundbreaking work on productions such as "Yizo Yizo", "Shaka iLembe" and countless documentary features. Accepting the award, Gibson said: "For the last 12 years, with both 'Isibaya' and 'Shaka Ilembe', we have been immersed in a Zulu world; so it is from the KZN audience that we most want approval. This award is an affirmation that makes me very happy.' Mbuso Khoza beams as he accepts the Best Supporting Actor in Film award for his standout role in Msinga: The Calling, Image: Supplied Image: Supplied Ndebele told attendees there was more to the event than just recognising artistry, achievement and storytelling. "We are celebrating a vision for what the future of our province can look like when culture, economy and innovation intersect. "These awards carry the name of a true pioneer, Simon Mabhunu Sabela - a man whose legacy reaches far beyond performance. He was not just an actor or a filmmaker. He was a cultural bridge; an embodiment of possibility during times when our stories were either erased or sidelined," he said. Perhaps one of the most memorable moments of the evening was when Mbuso Khoza, who won Best Supporting Actor in Film for his part in Msinga The Calling took to the stage to sing a soulful and moving tribute as actors who had passed away in the past year were remembered. The audience was treated to energetic performances by amapiano outfit, Babalwa M, as well as DJ Merlon. Andile Zamokuhle Mtambo, winner of the Best Newcomer Actor award for his role in "Uzalo", said that just being nominated was enough. "It is the first time for me on this platform and it shows that the people of South Africa appreciate the work we do," he said. In a televised message, KZN MEC for Economic Development, Tourism and Environmental Affairs, Musa Zondi said: 'KwaZulu-Natal is a province rich in heritage and culture; from the rolling valleys to the shores of our beautiful coastline, our land is full of stories that reflect who we are. Our languages, our traditions, our history and our pride. The creative work we celebrate tonight keeps that spirit alive and thriving. 'As the KwaZulu-Natal government, we are committed to growing this sector because when we support the arts, we support jobs; we support innovation and tourism, and a deeper sense of who we are.'
