Crowning the content creators

It was lights, camera, filter, transition, and action as the inaugural DStv Content Creator Awards took over The Galleria in Sandton to shine a light on South Africa’s favourite content creators.

Hosted by comedian Loyiso Madinga, the awards brought to life some of the most viewed social media reels and videos in the form of an opening dance piece, choreographed by none other than Bontle Modiselle Dance Studio. This kicked off the show with energy and vibe and included our favourite dances and sounds from the likes of Moghelingz, Khanyisa Jaceni, Robot Boii and Chad Jones.

The awards show, produced by writer and director, Nina Hastie – who also happened to be a nominee for the SOL Best Content Creator Award – featured hilarious spoofs of DStv’s popular reality show, Real Housewives of Cape Town (aka Reel Housewives of DStv Content Creator Awards) which starred awards nominees Nadia Jaftha, Prev Reddy, Cassidy Nicholson, and Nina Hastie. You had to see it to believe it!

The blue carpet was packed as more than 400 people arrived to be part of this first-ever awards event. Nominees, celebs, invited guests and sponsors all strutted their stuff down the carpet, rocking the finest threads designed by SA’s celebrity designers. The highlights of the blue carpet included Melanie Bala, Robot Boii, Lasizwe, Bontle and Candice Modiselle, Nadia Jaftha, Donovan Goliath, Kim Jayde, Zanele Potelwa, Banele Ndaba, Chanley Wong, Roxy Burger, Coconut Kelz, Chad Jones and Tamara Dey.

Broadcast live by Halle B Berry and Dezz Lee on the award’s entertainment platform partner, TikTok, viewers at home got to be in on the action and be the first to see nominees arriving and being interviewed. The live stream reached over 45,000 people.

Before the start of the show, guests also had plenty of opportunity for selfies and content moments as the event’s sponsors, DStv, Vuse, Netwerk24, Meltwater, Musgrave Gin, SOL and Humanz activated outside the venue. From Ayeye moments to 360-glam cams, personalised Crocs and the coolest Vuse chill lounge, what better way to set the tone for an epic night ahead.

The biggest winner of the evening was Nadia Jaftha, who not only bagged the biggest award of the evening, the DStv Content of the Year Award, but also took home the Comedy Award and Thumb-stopping Award.

Here is the full list of winners (in no particular order):

Content of the Year Award presented by DStv:

Nadia Jaftha

SOL Best Content Creator Award:
Lemii Loco

Thumb-Stopping Award:
Nadia Jaftha

Emerging Kasi Content Creator Award:
Ms Lanii

Kasi Content Creator Award:
Nathan Molefe

Alter Ego Award:
Coconut Kelz

Comedy Award:
Nadia Jaftha

Cause Award:
Siv Ngesi (Sanitary Pad Vending Machine)

Netwerk24 Smaakmaker:
Qman & Borrie

How I Shot It Award:
Donovan Goliath

Social Commentary Award:
Slaying Goliath

Podcast of the Year:
Our Love Journey With Mpoomy & Brenden

Stitch Award:
Yasien Fredericks

Performance Award (Music/Dance):
Rudi Smit

Film/Festival/Event Art Award:
Daniel Rheed

Pop Culture Art Award:
Falko Fantastic

Best Brand-owned Platform presented by Meltwater:
Savanna Virtual Comedy Bar

Best Game/App Award presented by INJOZI:
Savanna Cider Launches Gugu

Best Influencer Campaign Award:
My Kreepy Teacher (Retroviral)

Fitness Award:
Zinhle Masango

Beauty Award:
Phaello Tshabalala

Fashion & Style Award:
Kim Jayde

Foodie Award:
Lorna Maseko

Automotive Award:
Muzi Sambo Everything Cars

Best Reaction Video presented by DStv:
Nonto Rubushe

Speaking about her win, Nadia said, “It is an honour to win such an award, and never in my wildest thoughts did I think that I would win three awards. Thank you to everyone who voted for me and to everyone who voted for any of the amazing content creators who were nominees in their respective categories.”

“These awards validate the hard work and determination that every single content creator in the room and those at home put into the content they create, and I would like to thank every single creator, our title sponsor, DStv, and all the other sponsors who put everything behind these awards,” said Manuela Dias de Deus, CEO of the DStv Content Creator Awards.

“DStv is thrilled to be a partner to the awards where we see content creators starting to get some well-deserved recognition. As Africa’s most loved storyteller we are excited at the prospect of recognizing new age narrators and uplifting exceptional local talent. Congratulations to all the winners and nominees, this is just the beginning,” said Simon Camerer, Chief Operating Officer, Multichoice SA

In true social media fashion, the awards ended with a Bollywood challenge that got the audience ready for the epic afterparty, which was headlined by PH, FKA Mash, D’Phault and ReaDaSoul.

All winners received a bespoke trophy designed and created by talented Durban artist That Damn Vandal (@thatdamnvandal), representing each creator's uniqueness.

To see everything that happened, hit up #DStvCCA on social media and head to our website for official event photos.

The DStv Content Creator Awards is the brainchild of award-winning marketing and events agency One-eyed Jack, in grateful collaboration with partners DStv, TikTok, Netwerk24, Meltwater, INJOZI, SOL, Mushroom Productions, Humanz, and Steyn Entertainment.