With three wins, A Doll's House together with the soothing voice of the Princess of Africa, the SU Woordfees celebrated this year's festival highlights during an informal event at the Stellenbosch Town Hall this past Monday evening.
WoordTROfee trophies for best production, director and supporting actor went to A Doll's House – the most mentioned production of the evening. The veteran actor Andrew Buckland won the WoordTROfee as best actor for his talented performance in Tobacco and the Harmful Effects Thereof. Yvonne Chaka Chaka, who, just as Buckland, performed at the festival for the first time this year, won the prize for best solo music performance. Kô, lat ons sing!, a tribute concert to celebrate Adam Small's eightieth birthday, was the best musical performance by a group. Adriaan Brand, Juanita Swanepoel, Zenobia Kloppers and Frazer Barry are only a few of the people who collaborated on this top production who had the audience on their feet at the Woordfees.
Together with Johann Nel, Swanepoel was aiso honoured for a Woordkuns (Word Art) production, Praat van Die Duiwel. Juju Domingo and Lucas Heinen were recognised as best young actors for their performance in The Banquet.
On the classical front the pianist Ben Schoeman (instrumental) and the Stellenbosch University Choir (vocal) were the winners. Lien Botha's exhibition Wonderboom won the award for visual art while Francois Knoetze won the prize for best upcoming artist.
The three book awards went to the top-sellers at the ATKV Book Shop that operates during the Woordfees. Kook saam Kaaps by Florrie Schrikker and Koelsoem Kamalie was the top-seller in the Lifestyle division. Hammie by Ronelda Kamfer was the most popular in the poetry section while the Woordfees essay collection, Bly, sold most copies in the prose section.
Woorde Open Wêrelde (WOW) also recognised the teacher of the year – Antonia du Toit – and best school – Strand Secondary.
The complete list of winners:
Drama, Best Actor: Andrew Buckland – Tobacco and the Harmful Effects Thereof
Drama, Best Supporting Actor: Rob van Vuuren – A Doll's House
Drama, Best Director: Christiaan Olwagen – A Doll's House
Drama, Best Production: A Doll's House
Woordkuns (Word Art): Praat van die Duiwel – Johann Nel and Juanita Swanepoel
Contemporary Music, Solo: Yvonne Chaka Chaka – The Princess of Africa
Contemporary Music, Group: Kô, lat ons sing!
Classical Music, Vocal: Stellenbosch Universitu Choir under the baton of André van der Merwe
Classical Music, Instrumental: Ben Schoeman – Schoeman in Concert
Visual Art: Lien Botha – Wonderboom
Upcoming Artist: Francois Knoetze
Deurbraak: The Banquet: The Room of Dreams – Ju-Ju Domingo and Lucas Heinen
Most popular Book, Prose: Bly – US Woordfees 2016
Most popular Book, Lifestyle: Kook saam Kaaps – Koelsoem Kamalie and Flori Schrikker
Most popular Book, Poetry: Hammie – Ronelda S. Kamfer
Woordfees Heroes: Dawid and Henk Fourie
WOW Teacher of the Year: Antonia du Toit
WOW School of the Year: Strand Secondary
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