2024 marked a golden era for South African TV series, as the local industry reached new heights of creativity, innovation, and global recognition. From award-winning dramas to groundbreaking international nominations, here’s how this year cemented South Africa’s place on the global TV map.
1. South Africans Directed Back-to-Back iEmmy-Winning Animations
South African directors Jac Hamman and Sarah Scrimgeour secured the International Emmy for Kids: Animation with Tabby McTat, an adaptation of Julia Donaldson and Axel Scheffler’s beloved story. This marked the second consecutive win in the category for South African talent, following last year’s victory for The Smeds and The Smoos.
2. Die Brug Earned kykNET a Third Consecutive iEmmy Nomination
kykNET’s Die Brug continued MultiChoice’s streak of International Emmy nominations, following Two Sides in 2023 and Reyka in 2022. The gripping reality competition show was a finalist for Best Non-Scripted Entertainment, showcasing South Africa’s knack for compelling storytelling.
3. Spinners Beat Succession in Shanghai
The Showmax Original Spinners triumphed at the Shanghai TV Festival’s Magnolia Awards, winning Best Foreign Series over international heavyweight Succession. The Cape Flats-inspired drama also found success abroad, charting at #6 on CANAL+ in France.
4. Shaka iLembe Made SAFTAs History
The historical epic Shaka iLembe became the most-awarded drama in SAFTA history, scooping 12 awards, including Best Drama. Its sweeping storytelling and cinematic production elevated the series to iconic status.
5. Catch Me A Killer Debuted at Series Mania
True crime drama Catch Me A Killer became the first South African series to screen at Series Mania, one of the world’s premier TV festivals. Based on profiler Micki Pistorius’s groundbreaking work, it also clinched the Best Production Design award at the British Film Designers Guild Awards.
6. Wyfie Competed Against International Icons
The Showmax Original Wyfie earned nominations at The Seoul International Drama Awards, the Rose d’Or Awards, and the Global Production Awards. Competing against giants like Wong Kar-Wai, EastEnders, and Netflix’s Troll, Wyfie highlighted South Africa’s storytelling prowess.
7. Showmax Documentaries Gained Global Recognition
Original Sin: My Son The Killer was a finalist at the Venice TV Awards, while Death in the Heartlands was shortlisted at the Broadcast Sports Awards in London. These true-crime docuseries demonstrated the versatility of South African content creators.
8. Tracking Thabo Bester Set Streaming Records
The true-crime sensation Tracking Thabo Bester became the most-watched documentary on Showmax in its first 24 hours, capturing South Africans‘ appetite for high-stakes investigative storytelling.
9. A Record Number of Showmax Originals
Showmax shattered its own records, releasing 85 Originals across Africa in 2024, with 18 debuting in February alone. This included hits like Youngins, Outlaws, Koek, and White Lies, which achieved international success. The platform solidified its reputation as the go-to destination for South African series.
Honorable Mentions: Local Favorites of 2024
Other standout series include:
- Youngins – Best South African Streaming Series at the Behind The Scenes Awards
- Outlaws – Best Telenovela at the SAFTAs
- Chasing the Sun 2 – Multi-award-winning rugby documentary
- White Lies – Sold to major platforms worldwide and charted in Australia
With these achievements, 2024 was a landmark year for South African TV, proving the industry is not just thriving but setting global benchmarks.
Which show was your favorite this year? Let us know in the comments!
