South Africa’s arts festivals shine in 2024 kykNET Fiëstas nominations

Frank Opperman. Image: Instagram

The Fiëstas panel has unveiled the nominations for the highly anticipated kykNET Fiëstas, honouring extraordinary artistic contributions from the previous year’s arts festivals in South Africa.

This year’s nominations highlight a mosaic of talent and creativity as the panel attended seven diverse arts festivals, including KKNK, Suidoosterfees, Innibos, Vrystaat Kunstefees, Klein-Karoo Klassique, Momentum Beleggings Aardklop, and Toyota Stellenbosch Woordfees to witness debut productions. Following an extensive voting process verified by auditors, the nominees span fourteen categories showcasing the country’s artistic excellence.

Carmen Botma, convenor of the Fiëstas panel, expressed her deep appreciation for the artists who brought stories and emotions to life throughout 2024.

“2024 was a remarkable year of storytelling and stirring emotions,” Botma said. “Whether an attendee found themselves in the audience of an open-air concert, standing before an artwork, experiencing hidden emotions during a theatrical production, participating in a panel discussion, or closing their eyes during a musical performance – thanks to artists, festivalgoers had access to another world, could escape reality, or identify with the creative art before them. For that, we on the panel are deeply grateful.”

The full list of nominees for the kykNET Fiëstas includes:

• Best Actor: Chris van Niekerk, Joshwin Dyson, Frank Opperman, Theo Witbooi
• Best Actress: Anna-Mart van der Merwe, Cintaine Schutte, Crystal Donna Roberts, Rolanda Marais
• Best actor in a Supporting Role: Albert Pretorius, Deon Lotz, Gerben Kamper, Oscar Petersen
• Best New Text: Christo Davids, Neil Coppen and Tiffany Saterdaght, Philip Rademeyer, Johann Slabbert
• Best Adaptation or Translation of a Text: Christiaan Olwagen, Naòmi Morgan, Nerina Ferreira (posthumous), Nico Scheepers
• Best Direction: Christiaan Olwagen, Dion van Niekerk, Nico Scheepers, Marthinus Basson
• Best Achievement in Design: Iman Isaacs, Marí Borstlap, Philip Rademeyer, Rocco Pool
• Best Festival Production: Hedda Gabler, Speelgoed van glas, Stinkhout, Die Swartmerrie
• Best Ensemble: Hedda Gabler, Kruispad of die legende van die goue vis, Ons wag vir Godot, Speelgoed van glas
• Best Contemporary Music Production: Jazz at the Konserve, Frieda van den Heever, Legendes-konsert, Musikale Meander
• Best Music-Driven Theatre: André Schwartz, Ontban, -loos, Vier Panando’s en ’n Chardonnay
• Best Achievement in Classical Music: Charl du Plessis Trio, Die groot finale, Operagala
• Best Achievement in Visual Arts: Colbert Mashile, Jessica Webster, Marlene Steyn, Miné Kleynhans
• Best Upcoming Artist: Damian David Jacobs, Joshwin Dyson, Katelynne Matthews, Miché van Wyk

This year, the Fiëstas awards ceremony will be held on 27 February at Kirstenbosch National Botanical Garden in Cape Town. While the event will not be broadcast live, highlights and segments will be filmed for various kykNET programmes, ensuring that the artistic brilliance of this year’s nominees is shared with a wider audience.