12 reality and non-scripted titles are in the running for Best Non-Scripted TV Series at the 2026 National Film & TV Awards.
A dozen reality and non-scripted titles are vying for one of the most competitive accolades at this year’s National Film & TV Awards South Africa, featuring a mix of established favorites and debut series.
This month saw the announcement of nominees for the fourth annual awards. The Best Non-Scripted TV Series category encompasses family dramas, dating competitions, reality contests, and celebrity travel-themed shows.
Best Non-Scripted TV Series nominees
The selected nominees are:
- Uthando neS’thembu (Season 9)
- Big Brother Mzansi (Season 6)
- Married at First Sight Mzansi (Season 3)
- Tropika Island of Treasure (Season 12)
- The Real Housewives Ultimate Girls Trip: Africa
- Life with Londie London (Season 1)
- The Makhenes (Season 1)
- Nandi & The Rev (Season 2)
- Mnakwethu (Season 5)
- The Real City Makoti (Season 1)
- The Morning Cup
- Reno Race
This lineup features both long-standing series and fresh entries. Uthando neS’thembu is in the running for its ninth installment while Tropika Island of Treasure competes for its twelfth. Notably, Life with Londie London, The Makhenes, and The Real City Makoti are all contenders for their debut season.
Reality titles also appear in other categories
Many of the nominated series are also recognized in additional categories, providing them with multiple avenues to victory.
Big Brother Mzansi, Married at First Sight Mzansi, and Tropika Island of Treasure are additionally competing for Best Competition Show. MasterChef South Africa (Season 6) is featured in that same category, along with Deal or No Deal South Africa, The Masked Singer South Africa, and Ultimate Braai Master, among others.
Married at First Sight Mzansi is also nominated for Best Dating Show, where it competes against Mageza Wants a Wife, Date My Family, Single & Mingle, Op My Eish!, Chuz’ Maz’khethela and Boer soek ‘n vrou.
In the Best Entertainment Show category, The Real Housewives Ultimate Girls Trip: Africa, Life with Londie London, Nandi & The Rev, Big Brother Mzansi, and Married at First Sight Mzansi are all contenders.
Individuals in front of the camera are also acknowledged. Uthando neS’thembu‘s Musa Mseleku, Big Brother Mzansi‘s Smash Afrika, MasterChef South Africa‘s Andrew “Benji” Benjamin and Deal or No Deal South Africa‘s Katlego Maboe are nominated for Best Male TV Personality. Zanele Potelwa from Tropika Island of Treasure and Lerato Mvelase of Married at First Sight Mzansi are in the running for Best Female TV Personality.
The wider shortlist
Reality programming represents only a segment of a diverse shortlist. The organizers indicate that The Polygamist leads overall, with nominations in categories such as Best Scripted TV Series and Best TV Drama Series. Film nominees include Laundry (Uhlanjululo), 180, Dear Sis Dolly, The Trek, Masinga: The Calling, Black Burns Fast, Love and Wine, and Yoh! Bestie.
Television contenders also feature Blood Legacy, The Four of Us, Critical But Stable, Mpondoland, Inimba, and Levels. The awards also acknowledge categories for comedians, podcasts, documentaries, news shows, Afrikaans series, and production companies.
When and where
The award ceremony is scheduled for 19 November 2026, at the Theatre of Marcellus, Emperors Palace, Johannesburg. Winners will be revealed live at the event.
Public voting commenced on 19 October 2026, at 1pm and will conclude on 17 November 2026, at 12pm. It is exclusively available through the awards’ official website.
The National Film & TV Awards South Africa is managed by the National Film Academy, which initiated the South African edition in 2023.
