South Africa has secured a historic moment at the 2025 International Emmy® Awards, claiming five nominations in a single year — the most ever for an African country. With this achievement, South Africa now ranks third globally, behind only the UK and Brazil.
At the heart of this milestone is MultiChoice, which has earned four nominations, continuing its impressive streak on the international stage. This marks the fourth consecutive year that MultiChoice content has been recognised at the iEmmys, bringing its tally to 11 nominations in just eight years.
The Nominated Titles
Best Drama Series: Koek (Showmax)
The Afrikaans crime dramedy follows housewife Christelle Smit (Cindy Swanepoel) whose investigation into her husband’s affair draws her into Cape Town’s underworld. Created by Christiaan Olwagen and directed by Johannes Pieter Nel, Koek was the most awarded TV series at Silwerskerm 2024.
Best Actress: Charlotte Hope in Catch Me A Killer (Showmax)
British actress Charlotte Hope stars as Micki Pistorius, South Africa’s first serial-killer profiler. Adapted from Pistorius’ memoir, the Showmax Original has already earned international acclaim, with distribution in markets ranging from North America to Japan.
Best Sports Documentary: Chasing the Sun 2 (SuperSport)
This five-part documentary takes viewers inside the Springboks’ unforgettable 2023 Rugby World Cup journey, culminating in their record fourth title win. Directed by Gareth Whittaker, it marks SuperSport’s second iEmmy nomination after Two Sides in 2023.
Best Documentary: School Ties (M-Net)
Produced by IdeaCandy, School Ties examines the grooming and abuse scandals at elite South African boys’ schools. Its powerful storytelling has sparked nationwide debate on accountability and justice.
Kids: Factual & Entertainment: Play Room Live (DStv, Channel 300)
Produced by Eclipse Television Productions, this children’s show rounds off South Africa’s five nominations, adding to DStv’s growing slate of global recognition.
Industry Impact
Nomsa Philiso, MultiChoice Director of Content for General Entertainment in Africa, hailed the achievement:
“These nominations mark a significant milestone for our industry – a moment where local stories, crafted with care and cultural depth, are being recognised on a global stage like never before.”
Beyond accolades, MultiChoice continues to back local storytelling at scale. In the 2025 financial year, the company invested over R8 billion into African content, delivering 5,000 new hours of programming and growing its library to over 90,000 hours.
Looking Ahead
Winners will be announced in New York City on Monday, 24 November 2025. Regardless of the outcome, South Africa has already made history — standing shoulder to shoulder with global heavyweights and proving that local stories have universal resonance.
