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, 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.
Gold Standard Bank Ovation Award winners
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 who’s 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.
Bronze Standard Bank Ovation Awards winners
The 2024 Bronze Standard Bank Ovation Awards were as follows:
Submarine Productions and Theatre Arts
Dalin Oliver
Conrad Koch
The Market Theatre Laboratory
MVG Productions
Generation Of Stars
The Offering [to our other selves]
KWANTU Designs
‘Umbhiyozo Womculo’ a Celebration of Music
The Cape Reeds Clarinet Quintet
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
Moving Arts Productions
Theatresmiths
The Eastern Cape Wind Orchestra
Kate Pinchuck
Living Glory Entertainment
Fruity Lix Productions
Dirkje Daling
LoveSeed Empire
Neahtyah and Zuko Yigi
Nkala Creative Productions
Brendon Peel
MMM Productions
Macbob Productions
Taylor Made Productions
Paul Slabolepszy’s Finding Rosetta
Starstruck Productions & Lidgetton Theatre Company
ASSITEJ South Africa
Boago Production House
Sonwa Sakuba Institute for the Performing Arts
CAN OF WORMS SA
Starlight Studios
Khanyisa Jamjam
Sarah Cookney Academy of Dance and STANZA Dance Company
The Magic Eye with Stuart Lightbody
Stuart Lightbody
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
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