The 1st of December 2024 marked the celebration of artistic icons in the City of Gold at the Soweto Theatre. The glamorous awards ceremony was compered by Jozi FM’s Andile Thabethe who called dignitaries to stage that include the Joburg Theatres CEO Xoliswa Nduneni-Ngema as they handed over the much prestigious gains to the artists and their family representatives. With the memorable speeches the audience was in awe to see their heroes at close proximity!
Artistic Director of Soweto Theatre James Ncobo, related that as a collective members of the Joburg City Theatres gave a strong thought and gesture to honouring artistic greats who have contributed immensely to the country’s arts landscape. He bemoaned the reality that “we have become prone to the term ‘artistic amnesia’ forgetting such great contributors who have inspired the next generation of content creators, young people who are now conducting dissertations, citing the writers of yesteryear, the choreographers looking at the mastery of the art as unleashed by their front-runners. The establishment of award categories evoked a sense of excellence towards the legendary recipients, and looking at the generational mix that transcends this enormous milestone and accomplishment.”
This event is also accompanied by a book written about the 10 years of the Soweto Theatre, mentioned Ncobo, honouring both the artists and the active drivers behind the theatre’s success from when it opened its doors back in 2012. “I’m surrounded by the best in the industry that I looked up to from my early years as an actor. People who were much generous and would not hold back in sharing their giftings and mentoring. As Joburg Theatres we see ourselves as the custodians of the Joburg story looking at narrations of the City of Gold looking a pockets of contributors from different corners of the country, a melting pot of the arts sector, taking our hats off to the artistic greats.”
City of Joburg Finance MMC, Margaret Arnolds offered a special acknowledgement to the legendary stunning songstress, Abigail Kubeka in attendance, and further mentioned that “Soweto Theatre is proud to announce a landmark celebration, under the theme artistic icons in the City of Gold. This distinguished event, honours 44 exceptional artists that we should not only pay tribute to on the day and forget about them tomorrow. Whose work has impacted the various artistic disciplines including acting, dancing, music, poetry, literary greats, etc. Each honouree will be celebrated with the star embedded in the theatre walls for their extraordinary contribution to the arts. The tradition became introduced at the Joburg Theatre’s 60 anniversary in 2022. The artistic icons in the City of Gold celebration is our way of paying homage to the remarkable artists who have profoundly influenced our cultural landscape. By embedding the stars in the walls is not only recognizing the immense contribution to the arts, but also highlighting the vital importance of creativity in our society. The arts have the power to inspire, to connect and also to transform. This occasion stands as a legacy to sustain the arts.”
Much could be said about the performers on the day as well as the legends in the audience, whom in their true life form epitomised the unmatched timelines epitomised by their unique offerings thus heeding to the call to ploughing their talents that many have harvested and followed. From Ndaba Mhlongo, Peter Sephuma, Connie Chiume, Fana Mokoeana to current endless subliminal acts we can be sure of an unending array of actors’ dynasties.
Subsequent to receiving his award and with a brief speech Zola 7 by all means stole the show. Surprising his detractors, with his crew’s explosive performance, and a signature of his freestyle rapping, hopping to his famous hits and stunning acapella performances, got the audience in pulsating dance moves leaving them begging for more! Long live Mzolisto!
With much ululations coming to stage poet supremo Mzwakhe Mbuli proclaimed “umuntu ngumuntu ngabantu. I’m honoured that in 2012, I was called upon to be part of the inauguration of this theatre, therefore to me it is significant and very close to my heart as a native Sowetan. With the poetic line “Sons of women and slaves terrorised, offended. Siyabonga” bellowed Mbuli. Not to be left out was the charming Naledi Mabuse’s brief and stunning rendition of her dad’s super-hit, “Burn out” that left the audience on a sensational memory high!
The final item to the occasion, with MC Thabethe’s sequential announcements and media crew following enthusiastically to capture what each five pointed shapes detailed, and the wind adding much drama to the almost flying drape covering that almost signified the altitude of the honoured stars, that eventually got to be pulled down to unveil the legendary stars with their names etched therein. The stars have been revealed! And will forever add glamour to the enchanted walls of fame of the people’s theatre!
Jerry Sokhupe
Soweto Sunrise News
