It was lights, camera, filter, transition, and action this past Saturday, September 10. As the inaugural DStv Content Creator Awards took over The Galleria in Sandton to shine a light on South Africa’s favourite content creators.
In proud partnership with DStv, TikTok, Netwerk24, Meltwater, Sol and One-eyed Jack.
The blue carpet was packed as more than four hundred 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 the likes of Melanie Bala, Robot Boii, Lasizwe, Bontle and Candice Modiselle, Nadia Jaftha, Donovan Goliath, Kim Jayde, Zanele Potelwa, Banele Ndaba, Chanley Wong, Lasizwe, Roxy Burger, Coconut Kelz, Chad Jones and Tamara Dey.
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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.
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, Crocs activated outside the venue. From Ayeye moments to 360-glam cams, personalised Crocs and the coolest Vuse chill lounge, what better to set the tone for an epic night ahead.
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 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.”
In acceptance of her Thumb-Stopping Award, Nadia called her mom live on stage. “Mommy, I won an award,” an elated Nadia said. “You are just the best,” her mom responded proudly.
“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 recognising 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), which represents the uniqueness of each creator and their content.