SHE was the night's biggest winner with two gongs at the SA Film and Television Awards on Sunday night, but actress Brenda Ngxoli was missing in action.

She missed her flight from East London airport and could not bask in the glory at the Gallagher Convention Centre in Midrand.

Instead, Ngxoli had to watch the glitzy event on television with family.

"I had already done my hair, my dress was ready, but I unfortunately missed my flight . I was late because I was at another gig in Mthatha. I was driving from there and time was not on my side," she said.

The audience at the convention centre called out her name as a favourite to win the best actress in a supporting role in a TV comedy and a TV drama respectively. She won both awards.

Speaking from Xolobe, near East London, Ngxoli said at home "my family was screaming when they [announcers] said my name for the first award. I'm really surprised, it still hasn't sunk in".

Thanking her teams at SesTop La and Rockville, Ngxoli said her win was theirs too. "It would be unjust for me to take all the credit," she said.

Ngxoli is based in Xolobe, a rural village. She only comes to Johannesburg to work. Awards host, comedian Loyiso Gola, pulled no punches on the night as he poked fun at celebrities, none worse than Minnie Dlamini.

When the TV star went on stage to present an award, Gola questioned the wisdom of her releasing a calendar in 2015 with all the technological advances, including cellphones which carry calendars.

There were gasps of disbelief and cringes as Dlamini meekly hit back: "I'm not about to pull a DJ Sbu," referring to the controversial radio personality stunt at the Metro FM Music Awards last month when he promoted his energy drink despite being warned against it. He has since been suspended by the station.

tiwaneb@timesmedia.co.za