.png)
kykNET
This year’s Fiëstas awards ceremony took place on 27 February at the Kirstenbosch National Botanical Garden in Cape Town.
The kykNET Fiëstas have annually honoured exceptional achievements in the performing arts since 2011, giving recognition to productions showcased at Afrikaans arts festivals in the preceding year.
The Fiëstas panel attended every debut production at seven arts festivals (KKNK, Suidoosterfees, Innibos, Vrystaat Kunstefees, Klein-Karoo Klassique, Momentum Beleggings Aardklop and Toyota Stellenbosch Woordfees) in 2024. Following an extensive voting process audited by auditors, the winners in fourteen categories were determined and announced on 27 February at a glamorous awards ceremony held at the Kirstenbosch National Botanical Garden in Cape Town.
kykNET also announced that the kykNET Fiëstas will have a new home. After 15 years of management by kykNET, the Tribuo Trust will now coordinate the Fiëstas, with kykNET taking on the role of naming sponsor.
“The decision was made to ensure that the kykNET Fiëstas can continue and flourish as a vibrant celebration of the arts in Afrikaans. kykNET remains the main sponsor and naming sponsor of the Fiëstas,” said Waldimar Pelser, M-Net Channel Director of Premium Channels.
“In discussions with the festival directors, kykNET emphasised that we will strengthen our support for the arts festivals in a way that we hope will also make the festivals more sustainable. We look forward to reimagining the new kykNET Fiëstas together with Tribuo and are excited about the road ahead.”
Karen Meiring, Executive Chairperson of Tribuo, said: “It is an important objective of Tribuo to invest in the future and the sustainability of the entertainment industry’s ecosystem. The kykNET Fiëstas seamlessly align with this goal as the awardsrecognise and celebrate excellent work. They also encourage crucial audience engagement and honour the people who carry the performing and creative arts. Tribuo looks forward to continuing this project together with kykNET, who remains the naming sponsor.”
The winners are:
BEST ACHIEVEMENT IN CLASSICAL MUSIC
Die groot finale (Momentum Beleggings Aardklop)
BEST CONTEMPORARY MUSIC PRODUCTION
kykNET-konsert (Innibos)
BEST MUSIC-DRIVEN THEATRE
Ontban (Suidoosterfees)
BEST ADAPTATION OR TRANSLATION OF A TEXT
Naòmi Morgan – Ons wag vir Godot (Vrystaat Kunstefees)
BEST NEW TEXT
Philip Rademeyer – Stinkhout (Momentum Beleggings Aardklop)
BEST ACHIEVEMENT IN VISUAL ARTS
Marlene Steyn – Between my i’s: tussen my oë (Toyota Stellenbosch Woordfees)
BEST ACHIEVEMENT IN DESIGN
Rocco Pool – Hedda Gabler (Toyota Stellenbosch Woordfees)
BEST ACTOR IN A SUPPORTING ROLE
Gerben Kamper – Ons wag vir Godot (Vrystaat Kunstefees)
BEST DIRECTION
Dion van Niekerk – Ons wag vir Godot (Vrystaat Kunstefees)
BEST UPCOMING ARTIST
Joshwin Dyson – Laaitie mettie biscuits (Momentum Beleggings Aardklop)
BEST ENSEMBLE
Hedda Gabler (Toyota Stellenbosch Woordfees)
BEST ACTOR
Joshwin Dyson – Laaitie mettie biscuits (Momentum Beleggings Aardklop)
BEST ACTRESS
Rolanda Marais – Hedda Gabler (Toyota Stellenbosch Woordfees)
BEST FESTIVAL PRODUCTION
Hedda Gabler (Toyota Stellenbosch Woordfees)
The winner of the Blou Fiësta, awarded for commendablework that does not fall into any of the other categories, is the Suidoosterfees project 21. In celebration of the festival’s 21st anniversary, 21 productions were staged, each lasting 21 minutes with a ticket price of R21.
Amanda Strydom and Frank Opperman were honoured for their contributions to the arts. Amanda’s commendation was delivered by Margit Meyer-Rödenbeck, and Frank’s by Dana Snyman.
Kabous Meiring was the MC, and the presenters were Cornelia Faasen, Veronique Jephtas, Gideon Lombard, René Cloete, Nicole Holm, Joanie Combrink, Carel Nel and Waldimar Pelser.