Meet Lihan Pretorius: Naledi Awards judge and rugby referee

The 15th annual Naledi Theatre Awards were held recently at the Joburg Theatre.

A number of new judging panels were introduced, as well as many new judges, and their task was to see more than 100 productions staged in Johannesburg, Soweto and Pretoria over the past 12 months.

One of the new faces on the panel was Lihan Pretorius who was also appointed an executive director, legal, on the Naledi Board. His job is to take care of legal and compliance matters.

He is full of praise for the standard of South African theatre. “As Naledi judges, we are privileged to see many worthy contributions to the South African arts landscape and it is exciting to be part of the development of theatre in South Africa. We also see more and more independently produced theatre, which makes one realise that there is a substantial need for funding and sponsorships from the powers that be.

Picture: Twitter

“It is important to remember that art and, more specifically, theatre constantly influences society – it instills values, changes opinions and translates stories, emotions, struggles and experiences across space and time.”

Pretorius is a fascinating individual. Raised in the Vaal Triangle and with a passion for life, he has many skills and interests. “I enjoy keeping myself busy with things that stimulate me and allow me to make a positive impact on whatever I do,” he says. “My motto is to live life to the fullest.”

From an early age, Pretorius was exposed to the arts. His parents took him to see live theatre, classical music concerts and ballet and he realised in primary school that he was attuned to the arts, a love which carried on into adulthood.

Two life-changing moments made him realise that life is “beautiful” and he needed some form of arts in his life. The first was when his mother took him to the ballet and he saw Tchaikovsky’s Swan Lake score for the first time.

The second, he says, was when a favourite primary school music teacher gave him a copy of the 1971 recording of Donizetti’s Lucia di Lammermoor as a gift. It remains his favourite recording, featuring Dame Joan Sutherland in the title role, with the orchestra conducted by her husband, Richard Bonynge.

Pretorius overcame severe and life-threatening health issues. On surviving this, he says: “Having experienced serious and severe health issues and challenges in my life so far, it is important to always have a positive attitude and strong support system of family and friends in order to combat these issues and overcome them.

Picture: iStock

“I use my own experience as further motivation for all the things I am keeping myself busy with, being that if you are granted a second chance in life, do whatever your heart desire and what you can – life is short and everything can change in the blink of an eye.”

Dawn Lindberg, a close friend and CEO of the Naledis, calls him “a true Renaissance man”.

When not working at the Lead Group of Companies – where he is head of the legal and commercial department – Pretorius is passionate about Sevens rugby, serving as an assistant referee at international level.

Asked how he became a referee, he replied: “Although I played rugby as a wing at primary school, I always knew that I would rather be the referee. “My coaches always said that I would rather award the try to our opposition than attempting to tackle them.

“One night, in 1998, while listening to a radio interview with multiple World Cup rugby final referee Andre Watson, I decided to take the leap and phone in. I was about 12 and asked what you needed to become a ref.

“Andre subsequently introduced me to the world of rugby refereeing and I became, at that stage, the youngest member of the Valke Rugby Referees’ Society and, also, the youngest in the world.”

Picture: Twitter

He is currently vice-president of the Valke Rugby Referees’ Society and he still takes up the whistle for school and club matches from time to time.

A sad note, however, was struck in April last year. His beloved mother, Lina, passed away in Hong Kong after having watched her son officiating at the GFI Hong Kong Tens and HSBC World Series Hong Kong Sevens earlier in the day.

He recalls: “After my match, my mother said she is so proud of me and glad that she had the privilege of watching me refereeing in another country. That night in the hotel, she suffered a massive heart attack and passed away. She was 58. I am very fortunate that I had those special final moments with her, in one of my favourite world cities.”

Pretorius has a passion for the bush, too. “I just love the bush, surrounded by wildlife, and it’s there where I feel the most content. There I feel in touch with life, the earth and everything around me.

“Furthermore, a day in the bush to me is worth more than a week at any other holiday destination, as I literally recharge my batteries when surrounded by nature.”

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