The rags-to-riches story of up and coming 1960s girl group, Dreamgirls, had garnered 10 nominations. It won three awards for 'Best Performance in a Musical (Female)' for Lindiwe Bungane, 'Best Performance by Newcomer/Breakthrough' (Bjorn Blignaut) and 'Best Performance by an Actress in a Supporting Role/Cameo' (Candida Mosoma).

There were a few big winners that notched up three awards each. Mandela Trilogy, which garnered eight nominations, walked off with 'Best Production of a Musical', 'Best Theatre Set Design' (Michael Mitchell) and 'Best Theatre Lighting Design' (Faheem Bardien).

The downsized version of Gilbert and Sullivan's comic masterpiece, The Pirates of Penzance, also won three awards for 'Best Original Choreography: Play or Musical' (Shelley Adriaanzen), 'Best Ensemble Production/Cutting Edge' and 'Best Comedy Performance: Play or Musical' (David Dennis).



Aubrey Sekhabi’s uncompromising production of The Rivonia Trial also won three awards: 'Best Performance by an Actor in a Lead Role (Play)' for Sello Maake ka Ncube, 'Best New South African Script (Musical or Play)' and 'Best Director: Play or Musical' for Sekhabi.

Nataniël's Combat: Nataniël bagged two awards for 'Best Costume Design' (Floris Louw) and 'Best Performance in a Musical (Male)'.

Alan Swerdlow’s immaculately directed The History Boys won 'Best Production of a Play' and 'Best Performance by an Actor in a Supporting Role/Cameo (Clyde Berning)'. Robyn Scott walked off for 'Best Performance by an Actress in a Lead Role (Play)' for her acclaimed role as the elderly Jewish grandmother in London Road.

The executive directors award went to Basil Jones and Adrian Kohler of the Handspring Puppet Company for the internationally acclaimed Warhorse, while South African music and theatre legends Judy Page and Thandi Klaasen won lifetime awards.



“This year’s Naledi Awards was a celebration of South African legends, international groundbreakers and of the remarkable virtuosity and talent of South African artists who continue to push the boundaries of excellence," said Ismail Mahomed, board member of the Naledi Awards and director of the National Arts Festival.

“The roll of honour with its impressive list of winners and nominations is also a tribute to the institutions, corporate organisations, funders and audiences who support and recognise the value of how the South African performing arts sector continues to define us as a nation and how it enriches our lives," he added.

The entertainment for the ninth instalment of the awards was riveting, including music superstars and dance items, performed by some of the country's best talent, and celebrity presenters and MC , Alan Committie and celebrity presenters. This year's show will be flighted by Mzansi Magic.

The Naledi Theatre Awards were funded by the National Lottery Distribution Trust Fund and received a Business and Arts South Africa (BASA) supporting grant based on sponsorship received from Wharfedale Pro, Chauvet lighting, Distell, Matrix Corporate and Theatre Sounding, Offcentre Designs and the Lyric Theatre. The Lyric Theatre and Gold Reef City Casino have sponsored the theatre and all facilities for three years; ensuring that the Lyric theatre has become well and truly branded as the home of the Naledis.

A full list of winners follows below:

'Best Theatre Set Design': Michael Mitchell - Mandela Trilogy
'Best Costume Design': Floris Louw - Combat:Nataniël
'Best Theatre Lighting Design': Faheem Bardien - Mandela Trilogy
'Best Theatre Sound Design/Sound Effects': Mark Malherbe - Jesus Christ Superstar
'Best Production of a Play or Musical for Children': African Adventure - produced by Paisley Production in association with South African National Parks, directed by Jesse Christelis and Zak Hendrikz
'Best Performance by Newcomer/Breakthrough (Male/Female)': Bjorn Blignaut – Dreamgirls
'Best Community Theatre': DET Boys High - produced by the South African State Theatre in association with Sibikwa Arts Centre, written and directed by Smal Ndaba and Phyllis Klotz
'Best Original Choreography (Play or Musical)': Shelley Adriaanzen - The Pirates of Penzance
'Best Musical Director/Score/Arrangement': Eddie Clayton (MD), Peter McLea (arrangements) and Janine Neethling (composer) - Tree Aan
'Best Ensemble Production/Cutting Edge': The Pirates of Penzance - produced by Daphne Kuhn and Old Mutual Theatre on the Square in association with the South African State Theatre, directed by Greg Homann
'Best Performance by an Actress in a Supporting Role/Cameo': Candida Mosoma – Dreamgirls
'Best Performance by an Actor in a Supporting Role/Cameo': Clyde Berning - The History Boys
'Best Comedy Performance (Play or Musical)': David Dennis - The Pirates of Penzance
'Best Director (Play or Musical): Aubrey Sekhabi - Rivonia Trial
'Best Performance in a Musical (Male)': Nataniël - Combat:Nataniël
'Best Performance in a Musical (Female)': Lindiwe Bungane – Dreamgirls
'Best Production of a Play': The History Boys - produced by Pieter Toerien, directed by Alan Swerdlow
'Best Performance by an Actress in a Lead Role (Play)': Robyn Scott - London Road
'Best Performance by an Actor in a Lead Role (Play)': Sello Maake ka Ncube - Rivonia Trial
'Best New South African Script (Musical or Play)': Rivonia Trial - produced by the South African State Theatre, directed by Aubrey Sekhabi, written by Aubrey Sekhabi, Mpumelelo Paul Grootboom and Mandla Dube
'Best Production of a Musical': Mandela Trilogy - produced by Cape Town Opera in collaboration with Rand Merchant Bank, written and directed by Michael Williams
Lifetime Awards: Judy Page and Thandi Klaasen
Executive Directors Award: Basil Jones and Adrian Kohler of the Handspring Puppet Company for Warhorse