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By Debashine Thangevelo 
4h ago
Covid-19 has spawned many prestigious local and international award ceremonies, following the virtual or pre-recorded route.
The 4th Royalty Soapie Awards did the latter, with the taped screening broadcast on SABC1 on Saturday, September 26 at 8pm.
Despite the absence of the regular audience, the event, which was filmed in a studio, retained its brilliance with Mpho Popps and Lerato Kganyago as host.
It started on a satirical note with a bottle of water thrown at Popps in a scene reminiscent of the Lebogang Khitsane memorial service, where his sister took the stage and accused his wife of being unfaithful.
Aside from three costume changes, Popps and Kganyago engaged in playful banter and a few pranks for good measure.
Woven into the awards list were snippets of the industry heavyweights commenting on the importance of being recognized.
Simoné Pretorius and David Bloch were the first personalities to initiate the technical category presentations.
The other presenting couples were: Lorraine Moropa and Buhle Samuels, Shannon Esra and Presley Chweneyagae, MaBlerh and Chris Q Radebe, Lootlove and Frans Mohale, and Macdonald Ndou and Sihle Ndaba.
“Muvhango” co-stars Maumela Mahuwa and Gabriel Temudzani presented the Outstanding Couple category.
Award-winning artist Shekhinah was the first entertainment act of the night and sang one of her hit songs, “What a Love,” while Ami Faku followed up a little later with a mind-blowing performance of “Into Ingawe.
Prior to the Special Awards and Recognition category, actresses Siyasanga Papu and Sihle Ndaba delivered a film interpretation of “Pieces.”
No awards ceremony is complete without a tribute to the icons that are no longer with us.
Thabiso Lekuba and Tholakele Nkala performed to a Toya Delazy tune during the “In Memoriam” segment, where Bob Mabena, Candy Moloi, Elize Cawood, Sibusiso Radebe, Jòvan Muthray, Mary Twala and Moonyeenn Lee were among those celebrated.
Sicelo Buthelezi, who plays Teddy in “Gomora,” was happy to take home the Outstanding Newcomer award.
In his acceptance speech, he said: “First of all I would like to thank the man above, I would like to thank my mother for supporting me. I would like to thank my sister. I would like to thank my little brother. I’d like to thank the cast … “
While Sthembiso Khoza, better known as Shaka Khoza in “The Queen”, was confident and amused in his acceptance speech for Best Supporting Actor, where he also welcomed Buthlelezi to the industry, Sannah Mchunu (Zodwa in Gomora) was more tearful after winning the category of Best Supporting Actress.
Angus Gibson, a prominent South African creator, producer and filmmaker, received the Lifetime Achievement Award.
He said: “When I got the nomination, I was a little taken aback.
“I thought of the Lifetime Achiever award, I thought it was for seniors, at the end of their career. I thought that’s why Zola calls me ‘Madala’.
“I guess I have to accept that I am on the old side of things, but I am not accepting that I am at the end of my career. I think there is a lot ahead. So thank you all very much, much appreciated. “
Winnie Ntshaba, founder and CEO of RSA, looked stunning in a beautiful dress and Phumzile Zonke joined in to wrap up the presentation of the Soapie Soapie of the Year award, which went to the “Binnelanders”.
FULL LIST OF 2020 ROYALTY SOAPIE AWARDS WINNERS BELOW
TECHNICAL CATEGORIES
Excellent Editing Team: Ranch
Exceptional lighting: the queen
Best Art Direction: Married to Rugby
Featured Management Team: Gomora
CREATIVE CATEGORIES
Exceptional Hair & Makeup: The River
Exceptional wardrobe: the queen
Featured Writing Team: Skeem Together
Most Popular Soapie of the Year (Public Voting Category): Gomorrah
SUPPORT FUNCTION CATEGORIES
Best Supporting Actor: Sthembiso Khoza as Shaka Khoza in The Queen
Best Supporting Actress: Sannah Mchunu as Zodwa in Gomora
Featured Revelation: Sicelo Buthelezi as Teddy in Gomora
Exceptional Couple: Sindi Dlathu and Hlomla Dandala as Lindiwe and Zweli in The River
MAIN PAPER CATEGORIES
Best Leading Actor: Presley Chweneyagae as Cobra in The River
Best Leading Actress: Dawn Thandeka King as MaNgcobo in Uzalo
Featured Male Villain: Dirk Stoltz as DeWet Basson in Laan’s 7
Best Female Villain: Sindi Dlathu as Lindiwe in The River
Exceptional Soapie: Binnelanders
RECOGNITION AND SPECIAL AWARDS
Social cohesion: married to rugby
Background Actor: Sphiwe Msebe
Lifetime Achievement Award: Angus Gibson
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