Latest news with #SibusisoNdebele
IOL News
15 hours ago
- Entertainment
- IOL News
Nominees announced for the 12th Annual Simon Mabhunu Sabela KZN Film and Television Awards 2025
L-R Hope Mbhele , Chairperson of the Board at the KwaZulu-Natal Tourism and Film Authority Dr Sibusiso Ndebele and Simon Mabhunu Sabela Awards 2025 nominee Portia Ncwane Image: supplied KZNTAFA KwaZulu-Natal Tourism and Film Authority (KZNTAFA) announced the nominees for the 12th annual Simon Mabhunu Sabela KZN Film and Television Awards 2025 on Wednesday, with the awards expected to take place in July. KZNTAFA said that it is a celebration of outstanding talent and creativity in KwaZulu-Natal's ever-evolving film and television industry. 'Under the theme 'Africa's Champions of Storytelling: From Piers to Pages,' this year's nominees reflect the vibrant, diverse, and growing creative talent emerging from the province and beyond. With over 30 categories, the awards continue to celebrate the actors, directors, writers, and behind-the-scenes professionals who continue to shape South Africa's cinematic identity.' The 2025 nominee announcement event was hosted by actress, media personality, and previous nominee of the Simon Mabhunu Sabela KZN Film and Television Awards, Hope Mbhele. Dr Sibusiso Ndebele, Chairperson of the Board at the KwaZulu-Natal Tourism and Film Authority, said that the Simon Mabhunu Sabela Awards honours the legacy of a true pioneer in South African film, reminding us of the power of storytelling to inspire, challenge, and uplift. As the Authority, we remain committed to nurturing talent and positioning KwaZulu-Natal as a competitive and innovative film hub. Over the past year, we've made deliberate investments in emerging filmmakers, ensuring continued growth and transformation in the sector.' KZNTAFA added that leading this year's nominations list is the much-acclaimed production Umjolo Film Slate, recognised across multiple film performance and directing categories. 'It is followed by the BET Original Production A Wesley South African Christmas, and close behind are audience favourites Smoke & Mirrors and Uzalo, which all showcase KZN's remarkable local storytelling talent and production quality.' KZNTAFA said that nominations span over 30 categories, including Best Actor and Actress in TV and Film, Best Director, Best Use of KZN as a Filming Location, Best Documentary, Best Feature and Short Film, Best Student Film, and more — reflecting a wide cross-section of the creative sector. Mbuso Khoza, nominated for Best Supporting Actor in Film for Masinga the Calling, said that 'This nomination is a celebration of where we come from as artists. The Simon Mabhunu Sabela Awards honour stories rooted in who we are as Africans — spiritual, emotional, proud. I am humbled to be recognised for a role that honours our ancestors and the sacred responsibility of storytelling.' Edwin Cole, who was nominated for Best Cinematography category for the movie Highway Sheila: Resurrection, said that he is truly humbled by this recognition. 'Working on Highway Sheila: Resurrection was an unforgettable journey, filled with creative challenges that pushed us to our limits. The early morning shoots, the empty roads, and the freedom to craft each frame made this project special. I'm grateful to Arish Sirkissoon and the entire Lx Seth team for their trust and collaboration. This nomination is a win for all of us.' Arish Sirkissoon, Director of Highway Sheila: Resurrection, said that 'It's an incredible honour to have Highway Sheila: Resurrection acknowledged by such a respected awards body. 'I am so proud of Edwin Cole and his well-deserved nomination. His commitment to the project was unmatched — not only did he craft the visual language of the film, but he also brilliantly portrayed the iconic character of Shambies. We often found ourselves shooting at 4 AM on deserted highways to achieve the perfect shots. Independent films like ours need to be celebrated and embraced by mainstream audiences, and I'm proud that this film is part of that movement.' BUSINESS REPORT Visit:
IOL News
2 days ago
- Entertainment
- IOL News
2025 Simon Mabhunu Sabela Awards: spotlight on nominees Nelisiwe Sibiya, Menzi Biyela, and Kwenzo Ngcobo
Actress Hope Mbhele who hosted the nomination announcement, KZNTAFA Chair Dr Sibusiso Ndebele, and Portia Ncwane who is nominated for Best Documentary Feature Film and Best Isizulu Film. The KwaZulu-Natal Tourism and Film Authority has announced the nominees for the 12th annual Simon Mabhunu Sabela KZN Film and Television Awards. Under the theme 'Africa's Champions of Storytelling: From Piers to Pages,' this year's nominees reflect the vibrant, diverse, and growing creative talent emerging from the province and beyond. Leading this year's nominations list is the Stained Glass movie series, 'Umjolo' is leading with seven nominations for the different movies released on Netflix. Four nominations for 'Umjolo: Gone Girl' and the actors who received nominations include Sibongiseni Shezi, Sibusisiwe Jili, Menzi Biyela and Gugu Gumede.
IOL News
12-05-2025
- Business
- IOL News
Africa's Travel Indaba another bumper revenue generator for Durban and KZN
The Zulu Kingdom is ready: eThekwini Mayor Councillor Cyril Xaba, KZN Tourism and Film's board chair Dr Sibusiso Ndebele and interim CEO Sibusiso Gumbi with an excited Reverend Musa Zondi, MEC for Economic Development, and some of the KZN tourism ambassadors, outside the ICC where Africa's Travel Indaba is being held. Image: Boitumelo Pakkies DURBAN and KwaZulu-Natal will be welcoming thousands of key members of the global travel industry to the city and the region for the Africa's Travel Indaba (ATI) 2025 that begins today and ends on Thursday, at the Inkosi Albert Luthuli International Convention Centre, Yesterday, Reverend Musa Zondi, KZN MEC for Economic Development, Tourism and Environmental Affairs; eThekwini Mayor Cyril Xaba; Sibusiso Gumbi, interim CEO for KZN Tourism and Film Authority (KZNTAFA) and its board chairperson, Dr Sibusiso Ndebele, did a walkabout, inspecting the installation of the exhibition stands at the host venue and welcomed delegates and guests. The opening day of the ATI, doubled as a BonDay (Business Opportunity Networking Day). At least 40 tourism ambassadors also joined in by assisting with chaperoning and enabling visitors to become familiar with various events and the layout of the venue. Such was the interest from exhibitors at this years ATI that floor space at the ICC and Durban Exhibition Centre has been fully booked, which set the scene for a bumper business event. Owned by South African Tourism (SAT), the ATI has been staged in Durban for more than 30 years, and the city and province, were once again bidding for it to remain in the Zulu Kingdom. SAT has said that there were more buyers, more exhibitors and more business being done than ever before. More than 700 local tourism businesses were being represented, and there will also be 66 exhibitors from Botswana, 35 from Kenya, 56 from Zimbabwe and 25 from Namibia. The ATI will showcase 440 accommodation exhibitors: 266 of them hotels, 174 game lodges/nature reserves, 91 adventure experiences and 23 airlines - the highest number of airlines to be showcased at event. Local bus and shuttle services are expected to be kept busy ferrying delegates from hotels across the city to the ICC. Hotel occupancy is already standing at almost 90%. Gumbi said: 'Eateries around the city are buzzing already from the weekend Soweto derby and will continue during this week. We are enjoying the economic benefits of hosting an event of such magnitude. 'As KZN, we have rolled out the red carpet to ensure that delegates get to enjoy the very best of the Zulu Kingdom and have magical experiences that they can package and sell when they go back home. "The ATI presents a wonderful opportunity for these small and medium-sized tourism businesses to meet and forge long-lasting relationships with international buyers who will bring them business and help to usher them to even greater heights within the tourism sector, he added. Jaya Naidoo, East Coast General Manager of the Federation of Hotel Associations of South African (Fedhasa) said ATI significantly influenced hotel bookings, particular in the host city of Durban and with similar reports coming from Umhlanga. 'Hotels are running at high levels during the Indaba- ranging from 80% to 90%,' Naidoo said. A dozen small and medium tourism enterprises (SMMEs) have been given the opportunity to showcase their businesses at the KZNTAFA exhibition stand. These include Cynthia Hives Estate, Under African Skies, Tandweni Villa and Biwenda, Dumi Legacy Tours, Burnham House B&B, Sinapis Travel, Excellent Shuttle and Taxi Services, Isiphosethu Travel Services, Indoni Eco Village, and Tanomuntu Travel Tours. The businesses range from shuttle services to golf tours and venue operators. The ICC's neighbouring Durban Hilton Hotel is now fully open and will be home to countless delegates during ATI, just as it was in years gone by. The hotel will also be the venue of some of the ATI gatherings, including the KZN Business Breakfast co-hosted by KZNTAFA today. The KZNTAFA team got down to business even before the ATI began by hosting buyers from Europe. Ten buyers from India were being hosted during ATI and American buyers will be hosted after the exhibition. The team will also host a workshop for their Indian guests, where they will lay out the various MICE (Meetings, Incentives, Conferences and Exhibitions) opportunities that exist in the region as part of positioning KZN as the top business tourism destination. Durban Direct representatives will be at the KZNTAFA stand once again this year. DAILY NEWS
