South African Actress Thuso Mbedu the Only African Nominated for Emmy Awards

South Africans are taking to social media to congratulate one of their top local artists Thuso Mbedu on her nomination for the upcoming Emmy Awards in the United States.

The 26-year-old South African actress, who is the only African nominee in the international category, was nominated for Best Performance by an Actress for her role in “Is’thunzi” – a South African teen drama series.

Mbedu will battle it out with British actress Anna Friel, Brazil’s Adriana Esteves, and Germany’s Sonja Gerhardt, the other nominees in that category.

Now considered a heroine, the young actress expressed her shock and excitement in a Facebook post on Wednesday:

“So it’s been brought to my attention that I’ve been nominated for the INTERNATIONAL EMMYS AWARDS which is kind of a BIG DEAL for me ?? I have to say my thank yous ??♀️

I am here by the Grace of God! So before I say anything else: Thank you Jesus.

I don’t know how to put this into words. I’ve screamed, I’ve danced and jumped, I’ve prayed (and my vocabulary wouldn’t rise to the occasion) and I’ve cried. I am so humbled.”

Her fans across South Africa and beyond are equally excited.

The nominees, who were picked from 18 countries, were announced at the Television Academy’s Wolf Theatre at the Saban Media Center in North Hollywood on Wednesday. The names were read out by “Veep” actress Anna Chlumsky, “S.W.A.T” star Shemar Moore, and Television Academy CEO Hayma Washington.

Emmy Awards celebrate excellence in different sectors of television and the emerging media around the world. They are usually administered by three sister organizations; namely, Television Academy, National Academy of Television Arts & Sciences, and International Academy of Television Arts & Sciences.

This year’s award ceremony, which is the 69th annual event, will be held in New York in November.