South Africa’s soap stars, industry heavyweights, celebrities and socialites will be out in their finest designer outfits to celebrate the industry’s best at the Royalty Soapie Awards, taking place at the Durban International Convention Centre (Durban ICC) next month.
FOUNDER, WINNIE MODISE TELLS US MORE ABOUT THE AWARDS
We are a nation who lives for our daily dose of Soap Opera action. We invest in the lives of our favourite characters…their storylines dominate our conversations. But we have never given these players a platform to be celebrated and recognised. Until now, that is!
What sort of challenges did you come across while conceptualising the idea?
As a start-up event for the genre: securing buy-in has been challenging. Fortunately, most stakeholders have invested in the idea because it’s novel and has mass consumer appeal. For now we are focusing our energies on producing a top-class event.
Did you partner with anyone for these awards?
A team has been put in place to execute the award roll out, led by Director Sindile Xulu. Also, we partnered with the Department of Economic Development and Tourism (DEDT), Department of Arts and Culture (DAC), the City of Durban, National Department of Arts and Culture, Independent Newspapers and Ukhozi FM.
Will they be held annually?
Yes definitely, as the industry is continually growing, the awards would reflect that growth too.
How are you feeling about the first ceremony?
Excited. We will be producing a top-class event that reflects the excellence of the work done by South Africa’s burgeoning television soap industry.
How were the nominees chosen?
- Each judge watches up to three episodes per entry in the category they were selected to judge.
- They submit scores on a manual entry form and send the form to the organising committee.
- The scores are sent to independent audit firm KPMG.
- The auditors then tally up the scores and determine the finalists and the winners.
- The names of the finalists are revealed first.
- The auditors have sealed the names of the winners. It will only be released at the final announcement ceremony.
What can people expect from the event?
This event will be a night of glamour, entertainment and celebration of our industry. Here are the nominees for Most Popular Soapie Of The Year 7de Laan Binneland Generations Inkaba Isibaya Isidingo Muvhango The Wild Villa Rosa Zabalaza You can get the rest of the nominees list on http://www.royaltysa.com/
