For the first time since the inception of the prestigious awards, two performers – Jonathan Roxmouth and Brendan van Rhyn – shared the honours in the Best Performance Musical: Male category for their inspired roles in Call Me Lee and The Rocky Horror Show respectively.

Now in its 11th year, the Naledi Theatre Awards, sponsored by Auto & General and BASA, reflect the vibrant and diverse nature of the South African theatrical landscape and are the premiere awards for theatre excellence in South Africa.

The big winner on the night was Marikana – The Musical, an emotive and heartfelt tribute to those who lost their lives during the mining strike at Lonmin. It took six awards in the categories Best Production of a Musical (the South African State Theatre), Best Director (Aubrey Sekhabi), Best Performance in a Musical: Female (Emma Mmekwa), Best Set Design (Wilhelm Disbergen), Best Score (McKenzie Matone, Zakele Mabena and Aubrey Sekhabi) and Best Original Choreography (Thabo Rapoo).

At the glittering ceremony at the Lyric Theatre in Gold Reef City, attended by the who’s who of the entertainment world, Paul Slabolepszy’s Pale Natives scooped three awards; Best Production of a Play (director Bobby Heaney), Best Supporting Actor (Antony Coleman) and Best Performance in a Play (Lionel Newton).

Awards were also given in the Best Musical Director category to Charl-Johan Lingenfelder and Stefan Lombard for their musical contribution to The Rocky Horror Show as the production also took awards in the Best Sound Design and Best Lighting Design categories for Akbar Khan and Daniel Galloway respectively.

Veteran playwright and actor Athol Fugard shone on the night with an award for Best New South African script for The Shadow of the Hummingbird which he shared with co-writer Paula Fourie.

Neil Coppen’s inventive take on Animal Farm received the nod in the categories, Best Production for Young Audiences and Best Ensemble.

Shaleen Surtie-Richards was given a Lifetime Achievement Award for her contribution to South African theatre in a career that has spanned more than 30 years.

There were stunning performances on the night from ShooWop Shop; the Vuyani Dance Company performed Full Moon and renowned performers Keith Smith, Timothy Moloi and Janelle Visagie (nominated for her role as Mother Superior) performed a moving rendition of Climb Every Mountain from The Sound of Music.

PJ Powers (also a Naledi nominee) belted out You are my World and Jonathan Roxmouth gave an impressive rendering of Boogie Woogie from Call Me Lee. Up-and-coming star Michael Riff Themba performed the rollicking song Happy from Peter Pan and there was a spectacular segment from Swan Lake performed by the Joburg Ballet.

Masters of ceremonies on the night were popular TV presenter, poet and actress Lebo Mashile and South Africa’s most famous puppet Chester Missing. Newly crowned Miss South Africa 2015 Liesl Laurie also made an appearance while to add a slice of beefcake to the proceedings Mr South Africa Armand du Plessis and runner up, Sibusiso Sibanda, brought on the trophies.

Celebrity presenters included Kgomotso Christopher and Jack Devnarain from Isidingo; Aubrey Poo, nominated for his performance in Marikana - the Musical; award winning director Sylvaine Strike; top TV celebrity Zuraida Jardine and Dali and Rachel Tambo.

The arrival of Joey from War Horse caused a sensation as he galloped onto the stage for his special World Impact Award, the first time that this has been given at the Naledi ceremony.

The gigantic horse puppet, operated by a team of talented puppeteers, was created by South Africa’s own Handspring Puppet Theatre who made all the puppets for the award-winning musical which has been a massive hit around the world.

The Naledi Awards are supported by Auto & General Insurance facilitated by Carolyn Steyn, BASA, Distell, DWR Lighting, DreamSets, the Market Theatre, the South African State Theatre and founder of Computicket, Percy Tucker.

Steyn said: "It is a privilege to be on the panel of judges and, to all of us, every nominee is a winner."

Added Carl Louw, executive head of Auto & General Marketing: "Auto & General Insurance is delighted to be a part of the Naledi Theatre Awards and we applaud the outstanding home-grown talent for carrying the South African flag so proudly."

The Naledi Awards will be shown on eKasi Open View Channel 105 on Saturday, 25 April with a later transmission scheduled later in the year on SABC3.

For more information, visit the Naledi Awards website or connect with them via Twitter.