The nominations, which span 18 countries were announced on Wednesday afternoon. And the ceremony will take place in New York in November.

NEW YORK - South African Actress Thuso Mbedu has scored an International Emmy nomination, the only nod the country has received for this year's batch of nominees.

The nominations, which span 18 countries were announced on Wednesday afternoon, and the ceremony will take place in New York in November.

The twenty-six-year-old actress Mbedu plays sassy teenager Winnie in the Mzansi Magic drama Isthunzi.

Considered a young heroine by many, the role is Mbedu's first serious acting part.

Mbedu will compete against Brazilian actress Adriana Esteves, British star Anna Friel and Germany's Sonja Gerhardt in the “best performance by an actress” category.

Mbedu relayed her excitement on social media, thanking the cast at the channel Mzansi Magic for giving her her first acting break.

She says her International Emmy nomination is a positive step not just for her but for other local actors as well.

Mbedu says she never imagined she'd be nominated at such a young age.

“It just means one has to work harder. For this short space of time, we have eyes on South Africa which means then our artists, our actors in South Africa have to rise up to the occasion and show the world what we have to offer.”

