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NALEDI THEATRE AWARDS South Africa's Premier Theatre Awards System |
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Press Releases: Naledi Theatre Awards sparkle into a new era The Naledi Theatre Awards has announced the appointment of a new Board of Directors and judging panel. Naledi is firmly established as being South Africa's most sought after accolade which honours South African theatre practitioners for their excellence. With the added exposure from the Television Special on SABC3, the Annual Naledi ceremony is seen by millions nationally, and has raised the profile of SA Theatre. Established in 2003, the Naledi Theatre Awards was founded by veteran South African producer and entertainer Dawn Lindberg with the endorsement of Theatre Managements of South Africa (TMSA), an umbrella organization representing all major theatre managements in South Africa. The Naledi Theatre Awards has earned a track record for its commitment to serve the best interests of the live theatre sector and has, from its inception, geared itself to meet the challenging dynamics of growth and transformation in the theatre sector. With the formation of the new board, prominent South African thespians have thrown their weight behind the Naledi Theatre Awards. Internationally acclaimed actor and playwrite, and Tony Award winner, Dr John Kani is Patron of the Naledi Theatre Awards. He is a respected role-model for many young and aspirant South African actors. Dr. Kani reaffirmed what Naledi stands for in the South African Theatre: “Theatre Awards are the only measure by which we can recognise and acknowledge development and excellence in our industry. Awards are the only way an artist can realise the growth in their own work and further encourage the desire to improve. An award means that the recipient has achieved a high level of excellence as appreciated by their own peers and by the industry in which he or she practises. The Naledi Awards are an integral part of the development and pursuit of excellence in the arts”. The newly formed Board of Directors include charismatic businessman and television producer, Dali Tambo (Chairman), Promotions director and Theatre Producer, Welcome Msomi, recently appointed Director of the National Arts Festival, Ismail Mahomed, and South African corporate public relations and transformation and strategic management expert Brenda Kali. The SABC, will be represented on the Board of Directors by its Group Executive, Pearl Luthuli. “We are proud to be associated with the Naledis” she said. “Naledi showcases the world class talent that we have on our SA Stages and the Awards Special has achieved excellent ratings whenever it is shown on SABC3.” A strong corporate governance focus for the Naledi Theatre Awards will be driven by Connie Nkosi, Chairman of Lidonga Group Holdings. The Naledi Theatre Awards' founding Executive Director, Dawn Lindberg will continue to administer and stage the Awards Ceremony. SABC 3 is the primary sponsor of the Naledi Theatre Awards, and has for the past two years flighted a glittering 90 minute Special on the Awards Ceremony, which features top SA Celebrities and personalities from Stage and Television and highlights from the shows and musicals staged in SA in the year under review. The 2008 Awards Ceremony is scheduled for 01 March 2009 at the State Theatre Opera House. “The Naledi Theatre Awards welcomes the robust debate which mobilized the industry earlier this year. Naledi has demonstrated maturity and responded to challenges by reshaping, restructuring and redefining the way the system operates. This can only help to advance the theatre industry", said Ismail Mahomed, a Director on the Board and a former judge of the Naledi Theatre Awards. Executive Director, Dawn Lindberg, is elated that the Naledi Theatre Awards is moving into a new era with the appointment of this new Board of Directors.  Welcome Msomi, Des Lindberg, Ismail Mahomed, Brenda Kali Dawn Lindberg, Dali Tambo (Chairman), Connie Nkosi. "South African talent can compete with the best in the world. We are proud and honoured to have such erudite and visionary people to support and endorse the values, aims and achievements of Naledi. I know that the current Board of Directors will sustain and grow the Naledi Theatre Awards as an important programme which acknowledges and rewards South African talent. Each of the Board of Directors of the newly registered company brings to the table a strong and specific set of skills and their formidable business networks which can grow the Naledi Theatre Awards to on a par with leading international theatre awards systems", commented Lindberg. Welcome Msomi who earlier this year received the Naledi Award for Lifetime Achievement said: "The Naledis represent a recognition by one’s peers of the journey one has taken. They inspire and motivate one to strive further and to hopefully inspire others; The Naledis are richly deserving of financial support from Corporate and Government sources, as they have raised the profile of SA Theatre. More than 46 Lifetime Achievement Awards have been given by the Naledi Theatre Awards including Dolly Rathebe, Patrick Mynhardt, Winston Ntshona, Zakes Mda, Moira Lister, Joe Mafela, Percy Tucker, Ken Gampu, Pieter Dirk Uys, Gibson Kente, Phyllis Klotz, Smal Ndaba, Salaelo Maredi, Bill Flynn, Abigail Kubeka, Cocky Two-Bull Thlothlalemaje and Miriam Makeba. The judging panel for the Naledi Theatre Awards will continue to comprise of leading personalities drawn from South Africa's arts media and arts academic environment. The panels will be reviewed from time to time to meet the growth of the industry. The current panel of judges include among others, Mandla Motau, Mongi Mthombeni, Moira De Swardt, Sibongiseni Mkhize, Janet Bayliss, Tselane Tambo, Kholu Nemungadi, Joseph Gerassi, Lopang Molope, Sizie Modise, Helen Heldenmuth, Peter Feldman, William Prophet, Phillipa Sandilands, and Welcome Msomi. “The challenge now is to find Corporate Funding and support to sustain and grow the Naledis” said Chairman Dali Tambo “We are grateful to Minister Pallo Jordan for the seed funding DAC provided for two years and for his personal endorsement of the Naledi concept, but we are now looking for Corporate Sponsors who see the opportunity for Brand Awareness and the value of linking their brand to support the Performing Arts in SA, a proud but sadly neglected area of Sponsorship and financial support hitherto.” Many opportunities exist for corporate organizations and individuals to associate their brand with this glamorous, entertaining and socially responsible brand: The Naledi Theatre Awards. The Naledi Board invites such corporate organizations to contact Executive Director, Dawn Lindberg on 011 8807760 / info@naleditheatreawards.org.za or visit the website: www.naleditheatreawards.org.za 2007 NALEDI THEATRE AWARDS (for immediate release; no embargo) NOMINATIONS ANNOUNCED FOR THE 2007 NALEDI THEATRE AWARDS! THE NALEDI THEATRE AWARDS, in Association with SABC3 is proud to announce the Nominations for the 2007 Awards: “This has undoubtedly been one of the most exciting years in SA Theatre” said Executive Director, Dawn Lindberg “our panel of judges assessed over 60 Professional productions including International hit shows such as LION KING, HAIRSPRAY, FIDDLER ON THE ROOF, RENT, THOROUGHLY MODERN MILLY AND WHO’S AFRAID OF VIRGINIA WOOLF, all of which received several nominations each. We also had an outstanding selection of new South African plays produced for the first time, such as “Shirley, Goodness and Mercy, Telling Stories, the Boy who fell from the Roof and Dream of the Dog, all of which did exceptionally well at the box office, considering the competition from shows such as LION KING which sold more tickets than any other production in the Hiistory of SA Theatre. THE 5th NALEDI THEATRE AWARDS will take place on MONDAY 3 MARCH at the beautiful new LYRIC THEATRE at Gold Reef City, currently home to the musical, Hairspray. Dawn Lindberg promises an even bigger and more spectacular Event than last year, with entertainment featuring highlights from shows such as HAIRSPRAY, LION KING, FIDDLER ON THE ROOF, SOWETO STORY, HAIR and more. As in past years, the 25 categories will be presented by top Celebrities of Stage, Screen and Television, and 5 Life Time Achievement Awards will also be given. “our most exciting announcement is that we have formed a partnership with SABC3, who are as excited about the Naledi’s as we are! We have also contracted top Television Production company, RAPID BLUE (Strictly Come Dancing and Weakest Link) to shoot the entire Ceremony, which will be edited to a 90 minute Special and flighted on FREEDOM DAY, Sunday 27 APRIL at 10pm with no less than 3 repeats!” The full list of NOMINATIONS is posted below For all MEDIA ENQUIRIES PLEASE CONTACT: DI SPARKS BEHIND THE SCENES COMMUNICATIONS NALEDI THEATRE AWARD NOMINATIONS FOR PRODUCTIONS STAGED DURING 2007 2007 Naledi Awards - FINALISTS CATEGORY Best New South African Play Produced
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