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NALEDI THEATRE AWARDS South Africa's Premier Theatre Awards System |
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LETTERS RECEIVED AFTER THE NALEDI AWARDS CEREMONY 03 MARCH 2008 "Pieter-Dirk Uys" wrote: Dear Dawn Saw you on Morning Live and am proud of you - how you handled this messy and complicated issue with such style, humour and calm collected facts. No one remembers anything and it's important to remind them that while so many were sipping whisky in international hotels overseas, payed for by the anti-apartheid movement, transformation was taking place under the noses of the varke in Pretoria. Bravo darling! And let Lebo M go back into exile! XXX PDU From: Peter Terry I just feel the need to write and thank you for the excellent Naledi Awards evening last night. I can only imagine how much sweat, toil and tears it must have taken to put that elegant and classy function together. I do know, though, that it must have been a hell of a lot of hard work, and I think it paid off handsomely. Thank you, more than anything, for the central core of all your efforts : the passionate desire you have had, all these years, and still have, to make our acting and theatre fraternity feel that they're special, and deserving of an awards event every bit as glamorous as international events of this nature. To be nominated for a Naledi Award counts as one of the highlights of my life, and I feel honoured that I was deemed worthy - along with my fellows - of such a supreme effort as last night's awards. I also find myself unable to refrain from expressing my horror and disgust at Lebo M's outrageous behaviour. Perhaps it was coincidental that the two of you were on stage, as presenters of that particular award, supposedly the grand finale award, when he launched into what I took to be a calculated personal humiliation of you, particularly after everything you have done over these years, to build it into an award system that is credible, transparent, fair and worthy. It was utterly out of line, and I will happily go public to express my disgust at the fact that you were thus humiliated. Congratulations, too, for not descending to his level. Your response was classy, diplomatic, and far nicer and kinder than he deserved. So congratulations on emerging from the fracas with your dignity not just intact, but - I believe - enhanced. You deserve to be covered in praise and glory. Peter Terry From: Bev Geldenhuys Dear Des & Dawn Congratulations on a well run, slick show last night. You are both true professionals, and have always been. I wish to compliment you on how well you handled the RUDE, SELF-OPINIATED, RACIST, SELFISH, NON-PUNCTUAL, UN-APPRECIATIVE (oh I could go on and on and on.) LEBO M. He and his team (about whom he said NOTHING. PIETER TOERIEN???) received THE AWARD OF THE EVENING ... and what does he do ... act like a PETULANT 2 YEAR OLD. Des was very quick off the mark to thank Mr Toerien, then you, with all the grace you could muster, acted like the true lady you are - well done. In case you did not hear, several BLACK PEOPLE actually scoffed at his stupidity. God bless. HAVE A SPLENDID DAY AFTER A JOB WELL DONE. Regards, Bev Geldenhuys Teacher, (Lover of THE ARTS!) From: Joseph Gerassi Hi Dawn Thank you for a most wonderful evening. What a pity Lebo M made such a fool of himself, almost putting a dampener on what otherwise was a very proud evening for South African Theatre. Your professionalism and composure thoroughly impressed me. You handled a very difficult situation extremely well. Don't let it sour the evening for you. You should be very proud of what you achieved this evening. I look forward to working with you this year. Keep up the good work. Regards Joseph Gerassi From: Helen Heldenmuth What a super evening! Loved every minute of it, the staging was slick and classy, excellent choice of presenters. Marred by a malignant blight on our society. Of course he was late and his omission of thanking Peter both to-night as well as at the opening of Lion King, just adds to the inadequacy of the person. Once again thank you Warmest wishes Helen Naledi Theatre Awards Winners |
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