Trending Now: Nelisiwe Sibiya celebrates Saftas 2026 nomination for ‘iThonga’ – Fans React

It is celebration mode for South African actress, Nelisiwe Sibiya, who reacted to her nomination for the 2026 South African Television and Film Awards (Saftas). 

Sibiya took to Instagram to express gratitude for her first Saftas nomination for the Best Actress in Telenovela for her role as Zamahlobo Ntanzi on Mzansi Magic’s “iThonga”.

“I honestly had to let it sink in. Oh what an honour to be nominated at the @saftassa as the Best Actress in a Telenovela,” she wrote.

The singer expressed that she feels honoured for her work to be recognised because she was criticised and doubted in the past for choosing to transition from singing to acting.

“What an honour to be seen and recognised for the work I’ve put in this character kaZamahlobo Ntanzi.

“This is such a big deal for me as someone who has always been receiving backlash since I transitioned from being a record artist (took a break) to being an actress, and people forgetting that I went to school for this,” she shared.

She also thanked everyone who believed in her and supported her throughout her acting journey.

Sibiya made her debut in acting after she secured a lead role as Dr Mbali Mthethwa on e.tv’s medical drama “Durban Gen” in 2020.

She also got an accolade for her lead role in 2021 and was awarded Best Actress in Africa at the Zikomo Awards in 2021.

Her role on “Durban Gen” opened up more doors in the acting industry because she went on to secure more roles on popular telenovelas, including “Umkhokha: The Curse” in 2023 and “Scandal” in 2024.

Before venturing into acting, Sibiya was already known as a singer, notably gaining recognition for “Mama Ka Bafana”, which was a theme song for the prison drama series “Lockdown” in 2018.

The musician and actress received outpouring congratulatory messages on her nomination.

“So proud of you, mama,” actress Hope Mbhele commented.

“It was long overdue. Congratulations! This character showed your range, and we approved by loving to hate it,” @mbusomuhle_buthelezi wrote.

“Oh, you’re taking it,” actress and presenter Noluthando Ngema added.