The fifth Annual Royalty Soapie Awards took place this past weekend but the uneventful award ceremony did not have social media abuzz. The award ceremony, held at the Radisson Hotel and Convention Centre Johannesburg, O.R. Tambo, looks at the best of the best in the industry saw, DiepCity walking away with multiple awards, making them the stars of the evening.
DiepCity came in as the show which replaced the highly successful Isibaya on Mzansi Magic. The drama series centers around 4 women who were tossed into the life of crime when they were teenagers. They then decided to live a clean life but still have to fight for that as it proved to not be easy.
The show is produced by Black Brain's Mandla N who is on his way of being Mzansi's very own Tyler Perry. He is also the award-winning director and creator for shows like eHostela and Lockdown.
Attending the successful award show were some of our A-list ZAlebs including Jessica Nkosi, creator and founder Winnie Ntshaba, Linda Mtoba, Thembi Seete, Sophie Ndaba, Khaya Dladla, Thuli Phongolo and many more. Hosting the event was media personality Enhle Mbali Mlothshwa and radio personality Felix Hlophe. Holding it down at the red carpet was Candice Modiselle.
Reigning supreme was the hit drama series DiepCity as they walked away with these awards; Outstanding Daily TV Show, Outstanding Directing Team, Outstanding Casting, Outstanding Newcomer - Nompumelelo Vilakazi who plays Sne Gwala, Viewers Choice Best Actor - Chrispen Nyathi as Charleston Ncube, Viewers Choice Best Actress - Lebohang Mpyana as Khelina Maponya and Best Background Actor - Themba Sibanyoni as Danger.
Lifetime Achievement Award - Dr Lillian Dube, Outstanding Editing Team - The Queen, Outstanding Supporting Actor - Emmanuel Castis as Sergio de Freitas in Binnelanders, Outstanding Supporting Actress Elizabeth Serunye as Principal Thobakgale in Skeem Saam, Outstanding Onscreen Couple Zolisa Xaluva and Thembi Seete who play Melusi Dlamini and Gladys Dlamini in Gomora.
The ceremony went on and became a success despite the founder Winnie having lost her father. She congratulated not only the winners but production teams for giving out quality content, “My heartiest salutation to all the winners tonight, these awards recognize and celebrate the diligence and devotion to your craft. Notwithstanding the difficult period we find ourselves in due to the COVID-19 pandemic, we still managed to attain a lot. It is through film and television that life becomes, and for that, we thank our cast and crew who continue to redefine, reinvent and reimagine their crafts for the viewers,” she said as quoted by Sunday World.
She then spoke about the 5 year success the award ceremony had since the beginning, “This five-year milestone has been a fantastic journey of seeing a dream coming to fruition. As an actress, I saw a need to create a platform to celebrate the hard work of individuals and productions behind the daily tv drama industry and the success it enjoys in the television industry currently. Make the most of your Royalty Soapie Award and wear your title with respect! Congratulations once again,” she continued.
