Connie Ferguson Wins Best Actress Award for ‘Heart of the Hunter’

South African actress and filmmaker Connie Ferguson has won the Best Actress award for her role in Heart of the Hunter. The award was given by the Directors Guild of South Africa (DGSA).

According to The Citizen, the DGSA successfully hosted the first-ever DGSA Creatives Awards on Saturday, 11 April, at the Century City Conference Centre.

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According to a report published by Actor Spaces and a statement by the guild, the DGSA Creatives Awards 2026 celebrate excellence in directing across different categories. These include feature film, television, commercials, branded content, short films and digital storytelling.

Ferguson received the award for her role in the 2024 Netflix South African action thriller film Heart of the Hunter. In the film, she plays the character Molebogeng Kwena, who is the director of the Presidential Intelligence Agency.

Molebogeng is a double agent in the intelligence agency who fights at all costs to protect herself as incriminating evidence about her is on the verge of being uncovered.

Speaking to Independent Online (IOL) in 2024 about the role, Ferguson said, “I am attracted to characters that I can relate to from a woman’s point of view, but also characters that challenge my own beliefs as a woman.”

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Several other South African actresses were also honoured at the event. The late actress Connie Chiume received the Lifetime Achievement Award in recognition of her impact on the local entertainment industry.

According to The Citizen, DGSA explained: “Her artistry, mentorship, and unwavering commitment to the growth of the industry have inspired generations of filmmakers, actors, and directors.”

“The DGSA proudly recognises Mama Connie Chiume’s monumental legacy through this award, a symbol of gratitude, respect, and everlasting admiration for her lifelong dedication to the craft and her role in shaping the South African creative landscape,” read the statement.