Nervous pacing at Safta do

Actors and actresses nominated for accolades at the 12th annual SA Film and Television Awards (Saftas) paced nervously at the Palace Hotel at Sun City on Friday.

A scrumptious finger lunch buffet that included mini hamburgers, mushroom kebabs and chicken drummies was served on Friday afternoon as choreographer Somizi “Somgaga” Mhlongo, who is the brand ambassador for McCafe and one of the sponsors of Safta 12, electrified the gathering with his charisma.

Somizi Mhlongo talks to one of the nominees during the media engagement briefing outside the Palace Hotel in Sun City, North West. Picture: Mpumelelo Buthelezi

In the crowd were Sihle Xaba, who plays Khumbulani on SABC1 telenovela Uzalo, 7de Laan actress Crystal-Donna Roberts and actress Zimkhitha Nyoka.

McCafe’s chief marketing officer Daniel Padiachy said the film industry deserved to be celebrated.

It’s the third time this year that McCafe has supported the Saftas.

Also in the partnership is government’s National Film and Video Foundation.

(Left-Right) Actress Zimkhitha Nyoka, Sihle Xaba (actor) and Crytsal -Donna Roberts (Film Actress) at the media engagement briefing about 12th Annual SAFTA'S nominations held in Sun City, North West

However, the mood in the room was far better than at Thursday night’s event, where some awards were presented in a rather sombre room, without the glitz and glam of the stage spotlights, music and the whole shebang.

It was more like a school sports award session attended by parents. One attendant said: “Hhayi ayisafani!”