Last night I attended the Naledi Theatre Awards at the Pretoria State Theatre, for the very first time since I’ve been involved in the entertainment industry. To say I was impressed with the standard of the awards is an understatement. Everything flowed so easily and you could pick up the passion, focus and dedication displayed by the organisers and all the parties involved.

After arriving, I felt a bit bored for a little while. That easily changed when I saw droves of familiar faces in the entertainment industry arriving at the venue. One of these faces was Rob van Vuuren, who gave me a head nod and a salute as he went pass with his partner in crime. He was on his way to change into his alter-ego Twakkie as they, as Corne and Twakkie, were the hosts for the night.

Guests were requested to enter the theatre so that the business of the day, handing out the transparent statuettes, could begin. From the onset, Corne and Twakkie sizzled with their introductions, setting a tone for the rest of the awards ceremony. First on the line-up of performances was African Skye Pipe Band who fused Scottish horns with African drums to create a great mixture of cultures and art. That’s why were were here afterall, to experience what Mzansi has to offer in the arts.

The first group of awards (the design awards), presented by actors end entertainers Terrence Bridgett and Tobie Cronje, were handed out. The Best Costume Designer was awarded to Noluthando Lobese for her great thread work on Brer Rabbit. She seemed and sounded overwhelmed by the honour. A moving experience occurred when late Brett Goldin’s mother delivered a moving speech before handing out, with actor Collin Moss, the Best Performance by a Newcomer/Breakthrough The Brett Goldin Trophy to Mwenya Kabwe for her sterling performance on Yellowman.

To recognise the best we have in terms of dance and choreography, Israel Bereta was awarded Best Original Choreography (Play or Musical), whereas Best Musical Director/Arranger/Score went to Bryan Schimmel who later serenaded us with a beautiful piano-laced number, in collaboration with Tracy-lee oliver on vocals on the song Close Every Door To me from the musical Joseph.

Earlier on, South Africa’s Got Talent young sensation Cleo Filander gave us a rousing rendition of Somewhere Over The Rainbow, taken from Wizard Of Oz. She started it with a sweet Intro where she was talking and then belted out such powerful vocals that certainly didn’t sound like they came from a child who is not even 10 yet. This girl has an amazing career as a singer/musician ahead of her.

Continuing with the presentation of the awards, Koketso Mojela delivered a beautiful speech after walking away with Best Performance by an Actress in a Supporting Role/Cameo: Play or Musical accolade for her stint on Foreplay. Louise Saint-Claire caused quite a stir when it was announced she was nominated 3 times in the same category. Comedian Mark Banks kept us in stitches before handing out the Best Comedy Performance: Play/musical/Revue (Female) gong, which eventually went to Louise for her captivating performance on Pterodactyls. Banks even joked, to our amusement, that it would mean Louise sucks if she didn’t take this one.

The Best Director: Play or Musical prize went to Mpumelelo Paul Grootboom, who totally deserves it for directing the masterpiece Foreplay. It’s great to see the outstanding talent we have being recognised and awarded in this fashion. This was proved again when John Kani-written and -produced Nothing But The Truth took Best Production of a Play award.

One of the many highlights for me was when Best Performance in a Musical (female) prize was awarded to both songstresses Margaret Motsage and Nokukhanya Dlamini for their amazing vocal skills on The Lion & The Lamb. They are two of the tremendously talented vocalists in the country, having honed their skills from the teachings of such legends as Sibongile Khumalo and late Mama Africa, Miriam Makeba. I was particularly impressed when they sang background vocals for American maestro Phil Perry at the Market Theatre during the Standard Bank Joy Of Jazz Festival late last year. The equivalent of this award, for a male, went to another immensely talented actor Sibusiso Radebe who also delivered a moving speech, thanking everybody that supported him after his car accident that almost left him disfigured last year.

The performances for the night continued, with the El Rincon Fusion Flamenco giving us an electrifying display of Asian, ballet, tap and gum-boot dance routines, choreographed by Joanne Bobrow and Mireille Lenferna. Another amazing performance came in the hands, or should I say the voice, of one talented Kate Normington doing The Irish Song from Tomfoolery by Tom Lehrer, accompanied by Michael Watt on piano.

The most coveted prizes of the night included Best Performance by an Actress in a Lead Role and best Performance by an Actor in a Lead Role, which went to Louise Saint-Claire (her second one for the night) for God of Carnage and John Kani for Nothing But The Truth, respectively. Brothers In blood walked away with Best New South African Play Produced, while Best Production of a Musical went to Pinocchio. Before these two awards were handed out, we were treated to a beautiful preview of Swan Lake, due to start in a few months.

Besides these awards, 3 of Mzansi’s icons were recognised with TMSA Life Time Achievement Awards. These legends are Hugh Masekela, Tobie Cronje and Richard Lauring. Richard did not attend because his show had just started in France. Tobie and Hugh accepted these awards with grace and gratitude, both emphasising the need for South Africa to support and nurture theatre work, and arts in general. Hugh even treated us to an excerpt from his musical Songs Of Migration that just finished a vastly successful run at the Marke Theatre, where he played his trumpet and sang.

Earlier on, a sombre tribute to those that passed away in the past year was done over Amazing Grace and Sello Maake Ka Ncube reading a poem by Stephen Spender called The Truly Great. The last act of the night came from Johannesburg Philharmonic Orchestra, doing their renditions of songs Hi-Lite Jive and Sheebeen by Jonas Gwangwa and Hugh Masekela. It was really interesting to hear the orchestra take on these jivey tunes.

Throughout the evening Corne and Twakkie supplied plenty entertainment with jabs at presenters, winners and general current affairs and entertainment news. The humour balanced out the classy and elegant evening that resulted in an entertaining, informational, and immensely enjoyable experience. The awards event was certainly much better that the SAFTA’s that took place a few weeks ago, even though I was not there in person and only watched from TV. Even the after-party was a ball of energy and charm as guests mingled and enjoyed food and drinks.

The dedication and passion by Naledi Theatre Awards director Dawn Lindberg and her team is truly remarkable. I’ve just been made a judge this year and promise to align my contribution and skills with these traits.

Thank you Naledi Theatre Awards for staging such a event. I believe the other institutions like this could learn a lot from this event. I had an awesome Sunday evening.

By Khetha Mkhize
08 March 2010