The who’s who of the South African theatre industry met up at the 11th annual Naledi Theatre Awards, which were held at the Lyric Theatre Gold Reef City on 14 April.
The star-studded event played host to the crème de la crème of nominated theatre and stage productions in South Africa. The ceremony was officially emceed by actress, TV presenter, and poet Lebo Mashile and comedian puppet Chester Missing, with various high profile individuals such as John Kani, Terrence Briget, and Dali Tambo , presenting awards for the various categories. Mr and Miss South Africa Armand du Plessis and Liesl Laurie were also present to hand over awards to the winners.
Aubrey Sekhabi’s Marikana – The Musical performed admirably by receiving six awards. It won Best Production of a Musical (The South African State Theatre), Best Director (Aubrey Sekhabi), Best Performance in a Musical: Female (Emma Mmekwa), Best Set Design (Wilhelm Disbergen), Best Score (McKenzie Matone, Zakele Mabena and Aubrey Sekhabi) and Best Original Choreography (Thabo Rapoo).
Two performers, Jonathan Roxmouth and Brendan van Rhyn shared the honours in the Best Performance Musical: Male category for their roles in Call Me Lee and The Rocky Horror Show.
Paul Slabolepszy’s Pale Natives scooped three awards; Best Production of a Play (director Bobby Heaney), Best Supporting Actor (Antony Coleman) and Best Performance in a Play (Lionel Newton).
Veteran playwright and actor Athol Fugard shone by receiving an award for Best New South African Script for The Shadow of the Hummingbird which he shared with co-writer Paula Fourie.
Actress Shaleen Surtie-Richards was given a Lifetime Achievement Award for her contribution to South African theatre. “I am very humbled to receive this award. I am proud of who I am as a person and performer,” she said.
A full list of winners can be found here.
