The energy was contagious as artists from the National Arts Festival’s Fringe gathered at The Monument in Makhanda at midnight on Saturday, 29 June for a ceremony to announce the 2024 Standard Bank Ovations Awards winners.
Standard Bank Ovations are awarded throughout the Festival to shows on the Fringe that stand out. Shows that have earned an Ovation carry the badge on their show pages and posters to guide audiences to the best of the Fringe. The panel sees all the new works on the Fringe and meets daily to deliberate. This year there were 39 Standard Bank Ovations awarded to shows across the spectrum of genre, language and discipline on the Fringe.
Speaking at the Awards ceremony, Standard Bank, Provincial Executive Head, Client Coverage Eastern Cape: Unathi Maqalekane said, “We call on all who love the arts to pay tribute to those who are awarded tonight. We hope that this prize will continue to inspire and strengthen you to reach greater heights.”
Gold Standard Bank Ovation Award winners also receive a R10 000 cash prize, the Silver Ovation winners receive R5 000 per production and the Bronze Standard Bank Ovation winners also receive R2 500.
Both of this year’s Gold Award winners, Dwaling/ Ihare mâ by Nama Khoi Productions and Mwana Wa Mvula by Amandla Dança Teatro ZA are from the Northern Cape. Dwaling/Ihare mâ, directed by Gerhalt Cloete, explores the aftermath of the Nama genocide inflicted by the German forces on the Nama People in the 1990’s.
Directed by Mkhululi Z Mabija and choreographed by Bisi Bangiwe ka Jobela, Mwana Wa Mvula follows the journey of male rainmaker, Lerumo, whose story is a tug of war between his natural spiritual gift and his father’s Christian beliefs.
Silver Standard Bank Ovation Awards winners
The Silver Standard Bank Ovation Awards went to The Moon Looks Delicious From Here by Aldo Brincat in which he plays an array of characters in and around a fragile young nuclear family – some foreign, some local – all of whom are finding or losing themselves in the ever-changing political landscape that is South Africa.
Also taking a Silver Ovation Award is LEINA by The Tx Theatre. Written and directed by Mxolisi Masilela ‘The Great,’ a play about the profound spirituality of our names, the legacy they represent and the rituals, prayers, and music that connect us to our ancestors.
The third Silver Standard Bank Ovation Award winner for the night was Cantos of A Life in Exile by Yuu Media, written, directed and performed by Makhaola Ndebele. The play follows the life journey of a South African, born in exile, searching for a sense of belonging and a place to call home.
The 2024 Bronze Standard Bank Ovation Awards were as follows:
- 32 Lavender Close – Submarine Productions and Theatre Arts
- 90 Day Comedian – Dalin Oliver
- Despicable Hehe – Conrad Koch
- Mehlala – The Market Theatre Laboratory
- My Fellow South Africans – MVG Productions
- SELEKANE – Generation Of Stars
- The Offering [to our other selves] – KWANTU Designs
- ‘Umbhiyozo Womculo’ a Celebration of Music – The Cape Reeds Clarinet Quintet
- Yangthola! – Aziye Productions
In addition to the Gold, Silver and Bronze Awards, the following Standard Bank Ovation Awards were awarded during the 2024 National Arts Festival:
- A Musician’s Guide to the Galaxy – PentaFusion
- ABAPHANSI! – Moving Arts Productions
- A Froggie Fairytale – Theatresmiths
- A Wind Symphony – The Eastern Cape Wind Orchestra
- Don’t Panic – Kate Pinchuck
- FAITH IN LOVE – Living Glory Entertainment
- Freshly Squeezed – Fruity Lix Productions
- Flow – Dirkje Daling
- Ibali Lam – LoveSeed Empire
- Iculo lika Mama – Neahtyah and Zuko Yigi
- IGOBEL’ESANDLENI – Nkala Creative Productions
- ILLUSIONARIUM – Brendon Peel
- Just a Phase – MMM Productions
- Mr and Mrs Normal – Macbob Productions
- Odd Man Out – Taylor Made Productions
- Paul Slabolepszy’s Finding Rosetta – Starstruck Productions & Lidgetton Theatre Company
- Pieces of Me – ASSITEJ South Africa
- Roped – Boago Production House
- Sarafina! – Sonwa Sakuba Institute for the Performing Arts
- Shine On – CAN OF WORMS SA
- Silhouette – Starlight Studios
- Sorry For The Weight – Khanyisa Jamjam
- The Art of Being – Sarah Cookney Academy of Dance and STANZA Dance Company
- The Magic Eye with Stuart Lightbody – Stuart Lightbody
- The Tyrant – Taji Arts in partnership with Mandela Bay Theatre Complex
The 2024 Standard Bank Ovation Awards was convened by Ranique Roberts and adjudicated by a panel comprising academics, theatre makers, writers and cultural practitioners.
Says Roberts, “The Festival would like to thank the panel for their time and commitment. We extend our heartfelt thanks to the extraordinary performers who graced our stages. Your dedication, passion, and commitment to your craft have left us in awe. Every one of you has shared your unique artistic voice, and we have heard you loud and clear. Your performances were exceptional, and we are profoundly grateful for the authenticity you brought to the festival. To our sponsor, Standard Bank, thank you for your support and for being an integral part of this journey. Your partnership has been invaluable to the arts.”
The 2024 Standard Bank Ovation Awards adjudication panel was:
- Dr Bailey Snyman
- Dr Thoko Sipungu
- Faye Kabali-Kagwa
- Kim Blanché Adonis
- Lithemba Nziweni
- Samantha Carolus
- Sindi Matanda
- Susan Baker
- Tammy Ballantyne Webber
- Tebogo Gxubane
- Unathi Fumbata
- Xabiso Zweni
- Yaaseen Barnes
- Convenor: Ranique Roberts