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

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 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.

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.

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.”

When accepting 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.

Here is the full list of winners:

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