2026 Silwerskerm Awards TV nominees announced

South Africa’s television industry will once again be celebrated after the nominees for the 2026 Silwerskerm Awards for Film and Television were announced.

The television awards recognise excellence across 16 categories, with a new Best Presenter in a Documentary Programme category introduced this year.

The winners will be announced during the Silwerskerm Festival’s closing ceremony on Saturday, 22 August, at the Cape Town International Convention Centre. Awards for the festival’s feature films and acting performances in films that premiere during the festival will also be presented.

The awards ceremony will be broadcast on kykNET (DStv Channel 144) on Sunday, 23 August at 7pm.

Celebrating South African storytelling

Waldimar Pelser, Director of Premium Channels at MultiChoice, a Canal+ company, said this year’s nominees reflect the strength of South Africa’s television industry.

“This year’s nominations are a showcase of the brilliant work being produced in this small, world-class industry. With humility and great respect, kykNET acknowledges the imaginative worlds created by dreamers, hard workers, and creators who not only have something to say, but also know how to tell a story. These stories are culturally specific and never generic. They truly add so much meaning to viewers’ lives.”

Presenters and special guest performers for the awards ceremony will be announced closer to the event.

2026 Silwerskerm Awards for Film and Television – TV nominations

Best Lead Performer in a Comedy

● Albert Pretorius (Flip) – Kantoor (S1)
● Desiré Gardner (Magda Louw) – Magda Louw (S3)
● Hannes van Wyk (Erhard) – Magda Louw (S3)

Best Supporting Performer in a Comedy

● Daniah de Villiers (Emma) – Kantoor (S1)
● Gert du Plessis (Joubert) – Kantoor (S1)
● Ilse Oppelt (Joanne) – Kantoor (S1)
● Schalk Bezuidenhout (Tjaart) – Kantoor (S1)
● Shimmy Isaacs (Lynette) – Magda Louw (S3)

Best Supporting Performer in a Telenovela or Soap Opera

● Arno Greeff (Tristan) – Suidooster
● Denver Vraagom (Rev. Wayne) – Skemergrond
● Gretchen Ramsden (Patty Paulsen) – Skemergrond
● Gustav Gerdener (Johan) – Binnelanders
● Kay Smith (Shandy/Laylla) – Suidooster
● Mila Guy (Liné) – Suidooster

Best Newcomer in a Telenovela or Soap Opera

● Ayden October (Junior Louw) – Skemergrond
● Cole Wessels (Tino) – Suidooster
● Izette Blignaut (Petro) – Binnelanders
● Judi Hattingh (Jenna) – Suidooster
● Xander Venter (Marco Viljoen) – Diepe waters

Best Actor in a Telenovela or Soap Opera

● Charlton George (JP Louw) – Skemergrond
● Dann-Jaques Mouton (Ruan Smit) – Skemergrond
● Dean Smith (Wade Daniels) – Suidooster
● Germandt Geldenhuys (Louis) – Binnelanders
● Irvine van der Merwe (Nazeem Jacobs) – Suidooster
● Justin Strydom (Gys Swarts) – Diepe waters

Best Actress in a Telenovela or Soap Opera

● Devonecia Swartz (Christine van As) – Skemergrond
● Jawaahier Petersen (Kaashifa Mansour) – Suidooster
● Je-ani Swiegelaar (Naomi) – Binnelanders
● Marlee van der Merwe (Ella) – Binnelanders
● Sandi Schultz (Zelda Joubert) – Diepe waters
● Shimmy Isaacs (Erika Pienaar) – Skemergrond

Best Actor in a Drama

● Albert Pretorius (Gustaff Fouché) – Niggies (S1)
● Beer Adriaanse (André Fourie) – Niggies (S1)
● Brendon Daniels (Johan Diederiks) – Die nuusmakers
● Carel Nel (At van Wyk) – Niggies (S1)
● Jacques Bessenger (Ruan van Wyk) – Een keer om die son (S2)
● Neels Clasen (Willem de Villiers) – Spoorloos: Losprys (S5)

Best Actress in a Drama

● Diaan Lawrenson (Lisa) – Appels en tee (S1)
● Erica Wessels (Ousus Nel) – Niggies (S1)
● Lorcia Cooper-Khumalo (Rozlynne Joshua) – Breekpunt (S1)
● Rolanda Marais (Adri Joubert) – Die nuusmakers
● Tinarie van Wyk Loots (Henriette) – Appels en tee (S1)

Best Supporting Actor in a Drama

● Danny Ross (Brad Samson) – Breekpunt (S1)
● Heinrich Wentzel (Elijah Smith) – Een keer om die son (S2)
● Ian Roberts (Jakkals) – Appels en tee (S1)
● Jacques Bessenger (Dries Fourie) – Niggies (S1)
● Janru Steenkamp (Young André Fourie) – Niggies (S1)
● Neels Clasen (Henning Nel) – Niggies (S1)

Best Supporting Actress in a Drama

● Bianca Langedyk (Annie) – Appels en tee (S1)
● Cintaine Schutte (Henda Nel) – Niggies (S1)
● Daneel van der Walt (Francia Theron) – Niggies (S1)
● Jana Kruger (Santjie Schoeman) – Niggies (S1)
● Kim Cloete (Mandy Baker) – Breekpunt (S1)
● Roeline Daneel (Maks Fouché) – Niggies (S1)

Best Presenter in a Lifestyle Programme

● Marco Botha – Santam Megaboere (S7)
● Natie Ferreira – Fanaties (S1)
● Leah – Lottoland Help ‘n dorp (S4)
● Lundi Khoisan – Fiësta (S27)
● Hannes van Wyk – Kwêla (S27)
● Johan and Zanelle Dorfling – Bou of breek (S1)
● Jan Scannell – Jan Braai vir Erfenis (S15)
● Joalette de Villiers – Op pad met my potjie (S2)

Best Presenter in an Entertainment Programme

● Rian van Heerden – Wie word ‘n miljoenêr (S5)
● Elwira Standili – Koortjies met Elwira Standili (S6)
● Aden Thomas – Sê jou sê (S5)
● Brendan Peyper and Bobby van Jaarsveld – Ander dam se eende (S1)

Best Presenter in a Reality Programme

● Herman Lensing and Yolani Abrahams – Kokkedoor: Son & see
● Reandi Grey – Boer soek ‘n vrou (S17)
● Ruan Smith and JP Smith – Op my eish!
● Cameron Saaiman – Moer ‘n boer

Best Presenter in a Talk Show or Current Affairs Programme

● Hannes van Wyk – Hannes aan huis (S12)
● Lee-Ann van Rooi – Waar daar ‘n wil is (S2)
● Lourensa Eckard – In Gesprek (S10)
● Rian van Heerden – Laataand by Rian (S4)
● Wicus Pretorius – Wie’s Nuus? (S6)
● Lyntjie Jaars and Pietman Geldenhuys – Oppiestoep (S10)

Best Presenter in a Documentary Programme

● Govan Whittles – Govan ontbloot
● Frank Opperman and Frankie Opperman – Frank
● Dr. Rudi van Vuuren and Marlice van Vuuren – Groen Namibië
● Rian van Heerden – Schuster
● Rian van Heerden – Brakpan Chronicles

Best Ensemble Presenting Team

● Hamilton Wessels, Rika Calitz, Breyton Paulse, Bakkies Botha, Jonathan Mokuena, Jannie du Plessis, Rikus de Beer, Tommy Dickson (Chef Vaatjie) and Jean de Villiers – Toks en Tjops
● Dawie Roodt, Leon Gropp, Corli Prinsloo and Charlene Lackay – Ontbytsake
● Pierre Breytenbach, Jennifer Myburgh and Su-an Müller-Marais – Die Groot Ontbyt

Lifetime Achievement Awards still to be announced

The recipients of the 2026 Lifetime Achievement Awards for television will be announced at the end of July.

The remaining festival awards will be presented during the morning awards ceremony on 22 August at The Bay Hotel.

Tickets for the Silwerskerm Festival are available through Quicket.

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