Roberta Durrant (born 1951) is a South African sitcom creator, actress, director, producer and showrunner.Conversation with Roberta Durrant, Sarafina Magazine, retrieved 8 May 2025
As the founder of Penguin Films, she has been involved in creating and producing numerous television series and films that reflect South Africa's diverse cultures and histories. She was described as 'Mama of Comedy' in a 2015 News24 article.Mama of comedy Roberta Durrant switches over to crime and gangsters, News24, 8 May 2015. Retrieved 11 May 2025
Early life and education Durrant graduated with a BA in Drama from Stellenbosch University in 1971. She majored in drama and English. During her university years, she was a member of the Gisela Taeger-Berger Modern Dance Group. Her early career included acting and directing in theatre, both in South Africa and London, where she collaborated with notable figures like Steven Berkoff and directed award-winning plays such as Paradise is Closing Down and Don Juan at the Edinburgh Festival.
Career Television Durrant has been a pivotal figure in South African television, creating and producing several long-running, award-winning series. Her notable works include Madam & Eve, Stokvel, Ring of Lies, S'gudi Snaysi and Fishy Feshuns. She also produced the Emmy-nominated series Home Affairs, which delved into the interconnected lives of South African women. In recent years, she has continued to shape the television landscape with telenovelas like Skemergrond and Diepe Waters, and the Showmax series Mince Jou Hare.Roberta Durrant on her Lifetime Achievement Award, The Citizen, retrieved 11 May 2025
Film Durrant's filmography includes directing and producing feature films that have garnered international acclaim. Her 2013 film Felix won several international awards and was showcased at various children's film festivals. In 2017, she directed Krotoa, a historical drama about a young Khoi woman who became an interpreter for Jan van Riebeeck. The film sparked discussions on colonialism and identity and won multiple international awards, including Best Film at the Harlem International Film Festival and the Montreal International Black Film Festival.Krotoa gets 8th award and the Harlem International Film Festival, 18 May 2017. Retrieved 11 May 2025
Selected works Television series S'gudi Snaysi Madam & Eve Stokvel Home Affairs Zokhulu and Partners Ring of Lies Montana Izingane Zobaba Shreds and Dreams Saints and Sinners Z'bondiwe Isikizi Forced Love Going Up About Us SOS Fishy Feshuns Going Up Again Mazinyo dot Q Diepe Waters Arendsvlei Skemergrond Mince Jou Hare Projek Dina
Feature films Felix (2013) Krotoa (2017) Love, Lies and Hybrids (2021) Pinky Pinky (2020) Herb & Moon (2021) Inside Out (1998) Skilpoppe Ingoma
Awards and honor Lifetime Achievement Award, National Film and Video Foundation of South Africa (2012) Golden Plumes Award for 30-year contribution to South African Broadcast and Television Industry (2006) Lifetime Achievement Award at Silwerskermfees (2024) International Emmy Awards nominations for Home Affairs and Sokhulu and Partners Golden Rose Award (Bronze) for Madam & Eve at Rose d'Or Festival in Switzerland (2002) Runner-up in International Emmy Awards for Stokvel (2004) Multiple SAFTA awards including Best Ensemble TV Comedy, Best Editing for Drama, Best Made for TV Movie, Best Children's Programme, Best Art Direction, and Best EditingVeterans bring art of the con to the box, IOL, 16 April 2012. Retrieved 11 May 2025
Mentorship and advocacy Beyond her creative endeavors, Durrant is committed to mentoring emerging talent in the industry. She has trained and upskilled numerous writers, directors, editors and producers, emphasizing the importance of diversity and inclusion in storytelling. Her mentorship has helped launch the careers of several notable South African creatives.Roberta Durrant, Africanfilmny.org, retrieved 11 May 2025
References