Lawrence Maleka Tops Nominations for SA’s 2024 National Film and Television Awards

Lawrence Maleka is making headlines as the frontrunner for South Africa’s 2024 National Film and Television Awards, leading with an impressive four nominations. The much-anticipated ceremony will take place on November 9 at the Opera Theatre in Pretoria, celebrating the nation’s vibrant talent in film and television.

This year’s awards are notable for the overwhelming public engagement, with over 1.7 million submissions highlighting the richness of South African storytelling and its global influence. The National Film Academy has rolled out a list of nominees, showcasing the depth of talent within the industry.

Maleka’s nominations include Best Actor for his standout performance in Netflix’s Lobola Man, where he portrays Ace Ngubeni. He is also nominated for Best Male TV Personality, Best TV Presenter, and Celebrity Personality of the Year, underscoring his multifaceted contributions to South African entertainment.

The awards ceremony, now in its second year, serves as a platform to connect South African narratives with a worldwide audience. According to Sara Kensington, the National Film Academy’s global partnerships director, “Our ongoing theme emphasizes our commitment to recognizing the global impact of local storytelling and talent.” The theme for this year’s event is “Connecting South Africa to the World through Film and Television,” further illustrating the importance of these awards in elevating South African stories on the international stage.

Key Nominations

Best Actress 2024

• Nambitha Ben-Mazwi – Savage Beauty/Empini
• Katlego Lebogang – Yoh! Christmas / Spinners
• Ama Qamata – Blood and Water
• Rosemary Zimu – Savage Beauty
• Sivenathi Mabuye – How to Ruin Love
• Deli Malinga – Umkhokha – The Curse
• Nthati Moshesh – Savage Beauty
• Kwanele Mthetwa – Lobola Man
• Lethabo Mekoa – Skeem Saam
• Megan Saayman – Old Righteous Blues
• Connie Ferguson – Heart of the Hunter
• Motsoaledi Setumo – A Soweto Love Story

Best Actor 2024

• Siyabonga Twala – Empini
• Sisanda Henna – Heart of the Hunter
• Melusi Mbele – The Butchers Soul
• Louw Venter – Som van Twee
• Kagiso Modupe – Losing Lerato 2
• Lawrence Maleka – Lobola Man
• Bonko Khoza – Red Ink
• Lunga Shabalala – A Soweto Love Story
• Pietie Beyers – Eksie Pefektsie
• Ayden Croy – Old Righteous Blues

Best Newcomer 2024

• Imani Pullum – Classified
• Nefisa Mkhabela – House of Zwide
• Cantona James – Spinners
• Karabo Magongwa – House of Zwide
• Keabetswe Masango – Youngins (Season 1)
• Siya Raymond Sepotokele – Yoh! Christmas
• Mienke Ehlers – Wyfie
• Katlego Lebogang – Yoh! Christmas & Spinners
• Hlatseboy Moropo – Skeem Saam

Best Actress in a TV Series 2024

• Nqobile Khumalo – Red Ink
• Deli Malinga – Umkhokha – The Curse
• Marlee van der Merwe – Binnelanders
• Beata Bena Green – Wyfie
• Cindy Swanepoel – Koek
• Buntu Petse – Miseducation
• Zikhona Sodlaka – Gqeberha – The Empire
• Nambitha Ben-Mazwi – Empini
• Busi Kondleka – Lindelwa
• Makoma Mohale – Queen Modjadji
• Kim Engelbrecht – Reyka 2

Best Male TV Personality 2024

• Emo Adams – Noot vir Noot S47
• Katlego Maboe – Deal or No Deal
• Thomas Mlambo – Extra Time
• Lawrence Maleka – Big Brother Mzansi
• Graeme Richards – Expresso Morning Show
• Lasizwe Dambuza – Awkward Dates
• Jason Goliath – Last One Laughing

Celebrity Personality of the Year 2024

• Trevor Noah
• Nomzamo Mbatha
• Connie Ferguson
• Lawrence Maleka
• Zozibini Tunzi
• Katlego Maboe
• Maps Maponyane
• Bonang Matheba
• Candice Modiselle
• Clement Maosa
• Somizi Mhlongo

As the awards approach, anticipation builds for a night that promises to honor the remarkable talent and stories that define South Africa’s film and television landscape.