'Hedda Gabler' dominates the 15th kykNET Fiëstas Awards with four wins

The stars came out to play at the 15th kykNET Fiëstas Awards held at the Kirstenbosch National Botanical Garden in Cape Town on February 27. 

The awards saw numerous South African artists being honoured for their outstanding performances at the seven main Afrikaans arts festivals last year, namely, KKNK, Suidoosterfees, Innibos, Vrystaat Kunstefees, Klein-Karoo Klassique, Momentum Beleggings Aardklop and Toyota Stellenbosch Woordfees. 

The prestigious event was hosted by media personality Kabous Meiring, along with Cornelia Faasen, Veronique Jephtas, Gideon Lombard, René Cloete, Nicole Holm, Joanie Combrink, Carel Nel and Waldimar Pelser, who served as guest presenters.

The Toyota Stellenbosch Woordfees production, "Hedda Gabler" was the biggest winner of the night, scooping four awards for Best Actress, Best Festival Production, Best Achievement in Design and Best Ensemble.

Following closely behind were "Ons wag vir Godot", with three awards, and "Laaitie mettie biscuits" with two trophies. 

This year, industry veterans Amanda Strydom and Frank Opperman were honoured as legends for their lifelong contributions to the arts.

Another big announcement came as the organisers, kykNET, shared that they will no longer be managing the awards. 

After 15 years, the awards will be handed over to the Tribuo Trust, with kykNET remaining the main sponsor of the prestigious awards.

Pelser, M-Net channel director of Premium Channels, shared that the decision was made to ensure that the kykNET Fiëstas can continue and flourish as a vibrant celebration of the arts in Afrikaans.

“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," said Pelser. 

Karen Meiring, Executive chairperson of the Tribuo Trust, 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 awards recognise 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."

Full winners list below:

Best Actor - Joshwin Dyson - "Laaitie mettie biscuits" (Momentum Beleggings Aardklop)

Best Actress - Rolanda Marais - "Hedda Gabler" (Toyota Stellenbosch Woordfees)

Best Actor in a Supporting Role - Gerben Kamper - "Ons wag vir Godot" (Vrystaat Kunstefees)

Best Festival Production - "Hedda Gabler" (Toyota Stellenbosch Woordfees)

Best Ensemble - "Hedda Gabler" (Toyota Stellenbosch Woordfees)

Best Achievement in a 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 Direction - Dion van Niekerk - "Ons wag vir Godot" (Vrystaat Kunstefees)

Best upcoming Artist - Joshwin Dyson - "Laaitie mettie biscuits" (Momentum Beleggings Aardklop)