SAFTAs 2022: Shaleen Surtie-Richards wins posthumous award

It's been over a year since actress Shaleen Surtie-Richards passed away, but her legacy continues to live on. 

The star, who died peacefully in her sleep at the age of 66, was honoured at the 16th annual South African Film and Television Awards (SAFTAs). 

She won a posthumous 'Best Supporting Actress' gong for her portrayal of Muriel Foster in 'Arendsvlei'.

Penguin Films, which produces the telenovela, paid tribute to Shaleen after her big win. 

"Congratulations to the late Shaleen Surtie-Richards for receiving the @SAFTAs_1 award for Best Supporting Actress in Arendsvlei. It was an honour working with such an icon. May her soul rest in eternal peace." 

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Other big winners on the night include Manaka Ranaka (Best Actress - TV Soap), Thabo Malema (Best Actor - TV Soap), Kim Engelbrecht (Best Actress - TV Drama), Hlubi Mboya-Arnold (Best Actress - Feature Film), and Jafta Mamabolo (Best Actor - Feature Film).

Veteran actress Connie Chiume received the Lifetime Achiever Award. She says she hopes her award will inspire other actors not to give up on their passion. 

"I am overwhelmed by joy and excitement. I actually feel numb. I am thinking, 45 years - that's how long I have been in the industry. We all know that we are in an industry that is not easy. And people ask me, how did you do it? I don't know. I think the passion that I have for this industry, the way God has wired me, there is no way I could have left," she said backstage. 

The MultiChoice Group (MCG) took home 54 awards. Shows on its streaming platform, Showmax, won 17 awards. 'The Wife' and 'Tali's Baby Diary' were some of the winners. 

'DiepCity' scooped the public vote for 'Most Popular TV Soap or Telenovela'. Thembisa Mdoda-Nxumalo won 'PUBLIC VOTE - Best TV Presenter' for 'Old Mutual Amazing Voices'. 

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