South Africa Makes History with Five International Emmy Nominations

Johannesburg – 27 September 2025

South Africa has carved its name into global television history by securing five prestigious nominations at the 2025 International Emmy® Awards — the highest number ever achieved by an African nation in a single year.

Leading the charge is MultiChoice, which earned four of the five nods, cementing its role as a powerhouse in African storytelling and entertainment.

The Nominated Productions

1. Chasing the Sun 2 (SuperSport)
   A follow-up to the acclaimed documentary, this series captures the Springboks’ legendary 2023 Rugby World Cup campaign, allowing fans to relive the emotion, grit, and triumph of South Africa’s fourth world title.
2. Koek (Showmax)
   A witty and gripping Afrikaans crime drama, Koek has already become a cultural phenomenon. Crowned the most awarded series at Silwerskerm 2024, it now takes its bold storytelling to the world stage.
3. School Ties (M-Net)
   This hard-hitting documentary breaks the silence around learners’ untold struggles. By confronting difficult social realities, School Ties has sparked debate and inspired national conversations about education, safety, and justice.
4. Catch Me a Killer (Showmax)
   The psychological thriller brought international acclaim with Charlotte Hope’s powerful portrayal of Micki Pistorius, South Africa’s pioneering serial-killer profiler. Hope’s nomination for Best Performance by an Actress shines a spotlight on local talent with global reach.
5. Play Room Live
   Adding to the celebration, this bold and dynamic production rounds out South Africa’s record-breaking list of nominations, further underlining the diversity of the nation’s creative output.

A Milestone for South African Storytelling

“This recognition reflects the incredible creativity and cultural depth of South African storytelling,” said Nomsa Philiso, Director of Content: General Entertainment at MultiChoice. “To see our local productions compete on a global stage is proof that African voices resonate powerfully with worldwide audiences.”

With five nominations, South Africa now stands in third place globally, trailing only the UK and Brazil. For a country rich in talent, passion, and resilience, the achievement underscores a new era where local stories no longer remain confined to domestic audiences but are celebrated on the world’s biggest platforms.

Looking Ahead

The winners will be announced in New York City on 24 November 2025, where South Africa will proudly compete among the world’s finest productions.

This historic moment is more than an industry milestone — it is a declaration that African creativity has truly arrived on the global stage.