The calibre of South African storytelling has been recognised yet again, with local industry leaders chosen to sit on the 2025 International Emmy® Awards jury.
South Africa (04 September 2025) – South Africa’s storytelling voice has just been amplified on the global stage (again). We are a nation of champions… and really lekker judges! The 2025 South African jurors for the International Emmy® Awards have been announced. And the line-up is nothing short of inspiring.
Presented annually by the International Academy of Television Arts & Sciences, the International Emmy® Awards honour the world’s best television produced outside of the United States. And to serve as a juror is no ordinary role. Jurors form part of an elite circle of executives, creators and tastemakers who set the benchmark for excellence in global television. It’s recognition of those who shape the industry and also carry the responsibility of spotlighting the very best stories from around the world.
And this year, South Africa is shining brightly!!!
Our proudly South African jurors for 2025 include:
- Brendan Gabriels, senior global media executive
- Devi Sankaree Govender, award-winning investigative journalist
- Jan du Plessis, President of Primedia Studios
- Narendra Reddy, Chief Operating Officer at The Africa Channel
- Renaldo Schwarp, broadcaster, filmmaker, and content strategist
- Rudi Botha, Head of TV at Carte Blanche and Combined Artists
- Tracey Van Rooyen, Executive Head of Content Strategy for Showmax
- Wim Steyn, Executive Producer & MD of Ideacandy
- Zinzi Velelo, Executive Producer and founder of Ayomide Films
This is not the first year South Africans have been included on the International Emmy® jury. Year after year, our storytellers and media leaders have been invited to help shape the future of global television, a reminder that South Africa’s creative industry continues to punch well above its weight. The consistency of our presence speaks volumes about the international respect our industry commands.
Among the nine names is Renaldo Schwarp, one of the youngest South Africans ever invited to serve. We sat down to chat with him.
Reflecting on his selection, he described the experience as both an honour and a reminder of the impact of South African storytelling.
“Being invited to the International Emmy Awards jury is an incredible honour, not just personally, but as recognition of the calibre of South African storytelling. Our stories belong on the world stage, and at a time when diverse voices are reshaping global media, it’s inspiring to be part of a community that defines what excellence in television looks like today.”
Renaldo explained that jury duty meant immersing himself in a line-up of semi-finalist entries from across the globe. While the details of the programmes and regions remain confidential, he says the calibre of storytelling was extraordinary.
“We watched all the semi-finalist entries in the category I was judging. I can’t disclose the exact programs or region, but there was some truly incredible work from across the globe,” he explained to Good Things Guy.
“It was amazing to see the calibre of storytelling and, as a South African storyteller, to see how our stories measure up internationally. It was definitely hard work, but the organising team made the whole experience a real treat. During the viewings, our votes were secret, so we couldn’t discuss the work in the room, but the energy was electric.”
Adding to the experience was the fact that the process brought together industry leaders from all corners of the world. Renaldo admitted he only discovered who his fellow jurors were on the first morning of judging, over breakfast.
“The judging process is quite formal and structured, so I didn’t know who my fellow jurors were until breakfast on Day one. It was amazing to be on this jury alongside people whose work I’ve admired for years, and some I’ve even worked with and for before. Everyone brought their different background in TV and film, which made the judging and the whole experience nuanced and rich. And as a bonus, we had Table Mountain as our backdrop – not a bad office view for a day of jury duties!”
Renaldo’s path to this moment has been nothing short of remarkable. Over the past decade, he’s worked as a presenter, filmmaker, writer, and strategist, always with a golden thread running through his projects: storytelling that doesn’t just entertain, but also amplifies voices too often left out of the mainstream. His acclaimed documentary Young, Gifted & Queer was a finalist at FAME Week’s Inclusive Lens Award and will premiere on Showmax this October during Pride Month. His career has also been recognised with multiple Promax honours and four MMA Smarties Awards for his leadership in broadcast and content innovation.
“Experiencing the other side of the judging process was incredible,” he reflects, “and it’s inspired me to be even bolder with the stories I tell next.”
It’s clear this milestone is not just about prestige, it’s about representation, diversity and the ongoing power of South African storytelling. Our country has always been a place of rich narratives, and voices like Renaldo’s prove we’re not just part of the conversation, we’re helping to lead it.
And lead it we are!
Congrats to all the South African jurors. We’re all incredibly proud of you.
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