Naledi Theatre Awards

The Naledi Theatre Awards are national awards awarded for excellence in theatre.

("Naledi" means "shining star" in Sotho and Tswana.)

History

They were introduced by the Theatre Managements of South Africa (TMSA) in Gauteng in 2003. The executive director was Dawn Lindberg, the patron is John Kani, and the board members Dali Tambo (chairman) Welcome Msomi and Ismael Mohamed.

The first awards were made at the Sound Stage in Midrand in 2003. Over the first decade the awards have recognised more than 2,000 nominees and 250 winners and have recognised 55 lifetime achievers, all of whom have left an indelible mark on the industry.

The lifetime achievement winners

2003: Anthony Farmer, Ken Gampu, Eghard van der Hoven, Gibson Kente, Joan Brickhill, Patrick Mynhardt, Percy Tucker, Norman Coombes, Michal Grobbelaar, Gordon Mulholland

2004: Hermien Dommisse, Athol Fugard, Rex Garner, Alan Joseph (Posthumous), Abigail Kubeka, Miriam Makeba, Ramolao Makhene (Posthumous), Mannie Manim and Pieter-Dirk Uys

2005: Dale Cutts, Lillian Dube, Fiona Fraser, Neels Hansen, John Kani, Phyllis Klotz, Joyce Levinsohn, Joe Mafela, Michael McCabe, Zakes Mokae, Smal Ndaba, Nomhle Nkonyeni, Winston Ntshona, Dolly Rathebe (posthumous) and Wilna Snyman.

2006: Queenith Ndaba, Whinney Isiah Setimo, Cocky Thlothlalemaje, Mary Twala, Louis van Niekerk and Frantz Dobrowsky (posthumous)

2007: David Phetoe, Doris Sehula, Michael Lovegrove (posthumous), Moira Lister and Selaelo Maredi

2008: Welcome Msomi, Miriam Makeba and Bill Flynn (posthumous)

2009: Lynette Marais, John Matshikiza (posthumous) and Es'kia Mphahlele (posthumous)

2010: Hugh Masekela, Richard Loring and Tobie Cronje

2011: Evita Bezuidenhout

2012: Judy Page and Thandi Klaasen

In 2012 an Executive Directors Award was given to Basil Jones and Adrian Kohler of the Handspring Puppet Company for Warhorse

Community theatre and children's theatre haved also been recognised by the Naledis, as have emerging directors and performers - who have been given a platform to not only stage their work, but be exposed to the vibrant South African theatre industry.