Zenande Mfenyana finally wins her first award after 19 years, and the moment has left South African soap fans emotional and proud. The actress picked up her very first trophy at the 2026 South African Television Awards for Best Supporting Actress in a Drama Series.
She won for her gripping role as Thandeka on The River, where she played a fierce woman caught between family loyalty and revenge. The win came as a surprise to many because Zenande has been delivering standout performances since 2007, yet this was the first time her name got called out on a winners’ list.
She broke into the industry as the teenage Luyanda on Generations back in 2007. Viewers still remember how she shook the nation every week by quietly poisoning her on-screen mother with tea in one of the most talked-about storylines of that era.
The slow-burn evil act had people glued to their screens debating whether the girl would get caught. That role alone made her a household name, but she never stopped working. After generations she jumped between shows, proving she could play anything from sweet to ruthless.
She appeared on The Queen as a tough character, then Ashes to Ashes, Igazi and back to The Queen again. Each time she brought something fresh, showing range that kept casting directors ringing her phone.
Nineteen years of steady work on screen and yet no major award came her way until now. Fans have pointed out the oddity for years. Zenande has been nominated before, but the trophies always went to someone else. Many said the industry overlooked her because she stayed in soaps when prestige often goes to film or stage actors.
Others argued her characters were too strong, too layered, for voters to ignore forever. When her name finally got announced at the ceremony, the room erupted in cheers. She walked up to the stage visibly moved, holding the award like it weighed more than gold.
In her acceptance speech, she remained authentic. She thanked her family for believing in her when jobs were scarce, thanked the writers who gave her meaty roles and thanked the viewers who stuck with her through every twist.
She said something that stuck with many people: ‘I’ve been acting since I was a teenager, and sometimes you wonder if anyone notices. Tonight you noticed, and I felt seen.” The clip of that line spread fast on social media, with thousands sharing it and adding their own stories about how her performances got them through tough days.
The win also sparked bigger talk about recognition on South African television. Soaps like Generations, The Queen and The River have carried the industry for decades, pulling huge audiences, yet actors from those shows rarely sweep the awards.
Zenande’s breakthrough could open the door for more soap stars to get their flowers. Younger performers took to Instagram and X, saying her moment gave them hope that hard work eventually pays off even if it takes almost two decades.
Off-screen Zenande has stayed grounded. She speaks openly about the ups and downs of the business, from long hours on set to periods when roles dried up.
She has balanced motherhood and career without chasing headlines, which makes this quiet victory feel even sweeter to her supporters. The award sits as proof that talent can wait its turn and still shine brightly when the moment arrives.
South African entertainment circles are still celebrating the milestone. Co-stars from past shows sent flowers, messages and video tributes. Fans made montages of her best scenes, from Luyanda poisoning her mum to Thandeka fighting for justice.
The 2026 awards night will be remembered for many things, but for Zenande Mfenyana it marks the end of a long wait and the start of something new. After 19 years of showing up and giving her all, she finally has hardware to show for it. The country is happy for her, and the conversation about who gets recognised on local TV just got a little louder.
