Magic displayed on stage as luminaries are honoured at Roodepoort Theatre on Heritage Day

This is as the institution celebrates 45 years of existence where those honoured played important roles in making the theatre to become a great cultural institution that it is today.

By Edward Tsumele, CITYLIFE/ARTS Editor

If you were not part of the ceremony on Wednesday, September 24, 2025, held at Roodepoort Theatre, which celebrated 45 years of good music, theatre and everything in between, by awarding luminaries that have had anything to do with the city of Johannesburg owned institution both on stage and off stage, you need to feel bad. Really bad because what we witnessed on that stage, that is us who celebrated Heritage Day this way, was an explosion of music, heart touching performances of theatrical excerpts, opera excerpts and jazz standards that weaved together our diverse cultural history, theatrical, literary and music heritage into a coherent narrative that reflected our past, present and a reimagined future of possibilities.

Okay, let us go back a beat and recapture the moment. When we arrived, with guests starting to arrive around 11am w were ushered into a beautiful garden outside the theatre, where a welcome drink was served on a table manned by a tall and pretty hostess, with her beautiful costume serving as a table cloth on which drinks and later lunch was served. The whole thing looked elegant and different. It helped that the hostess smiled throughout the whole morning and afternoon and engaged intelligently with guests as she served them. She seemed to enjoy what she was doing as much as the guests were enjoying the beverages and food that she served with sophisticated elegance and the guests reciprocated her grace by accepting her hospitality with respect and appreciation.

As we mingled, networked and enjoyed our starters up to around 12 noon when the programmes director, one Lungelo Masondo, who directed the event impressively, sticking to time, the situation was surreal. One immediately knew right away, that this was akin to calm before the storm. We all became expectant about what was to come shortly in the newly revamped that with seats that are inviting.

Indeed soon after what we witnessed onstage was actually a storm that was forming and threatening quietly to unleash ist powerful force on the unsuspecting. But instead of a disruptive and destructive storm as conventional storms are often of that character, this one was a storm that we enjoyed and welcome with our applause.

Featuring a band, supported by highly talented singers as the anchor of this celebration, we witnessed magic on stage, as different soloists who included sopranos and actors engaged in various monologues and classical music excerpts carefully curated by Joburg City Theatre’s Artistic Director James Ngcobo and his team, told narratives that speak to the beauty of art. We felt right there how art could easily be used to for example, narrate history, culture and even spirituality. We were also reminded of how talented artists in this country are.

I can tell you that talent was displayed abundantly particularly by the actors engaging in various monologues that tell the stories of triumph, human frailty, hope and even despair.

The individual sopranos equally took a good account of themselves as they remarkably managed to immerse us deeply in the beautiful and sacred world inhabited by classical music that is often elusive to those that are not well cultured in the art form. However right there in the Roodepoort Theatre’s main theatre, soloists in opera such as Sibongile Mngoma, Phumeza Matshikiza and veteran ballerina Kitty Phetle, rendered false the idea that opera and ballet can only be enjoyed by the well cultured only, and not ordinary ears and eys. And also the three ballerinas from Joburg Ballet displayed a remarkable ability to take a Tswana traditional dance and adapt it so nicely into the ballet idiom, it almost became unrecognisable from its traditional original form. We could only discern fading traces of its origin. We loved the three ballerinas as they showed us what is possible in art.

In short Kim Cloete handled well the monologue: Those who live in cages and so did Andre Odendaal: The last moustache monologue – Kitty Phetla’s solo dance was marvellous to watch, and so did Trevor Lynch: District 6 Richard Rive monologue, while Nhlakanipho Manqele handled with precision: Maya Angelou and so did Stefan Louw: Nessun Dorma – Sibongile Mngoma: Porgy and Bess solo 2 was so amazing as she simply demonstrated that she does not only belong to the street marching to raise the voice of artists feeling marginalised by those who hold the purse strings, but on stage as well where she rightly belongs. Pumeza Matshikiza who flew all the way from Belgium where she entertains regularly classical music fans did prevail in her rendition of Verdi Aria.

The point is we were so entertained in the theatre to the extent that we almost thought we had come for entertainment only, almost forgetting the real reason why we were invited there in the first place. We were there to witness those that have assisted in making Roodepoort Theatre to be an iconic place of story-telling that it has become known for since 1980, when it was formed, then called Pro Musica, before becoming Roodepoort Theatre as it is known today.

 Apart from honouring a diverse number of luminaries in the arts to acknowledge their contribution in making this theatre an important cultural institution in the country,The Golden Chronicles Gala Celebration also unveiled the inaugural Stars of Roodepoort, a permanent foyer installation that enshrines the names of artists and institutions whose work has left an indelible mark on South Africa’s cultural landscape.

The 2025 Stars of Roodepoort Honourees Artists & Performers: Celebrating the individuals whose artistry, creativity, and talent have defined generations of South African theatre, music, dance, and performance.

Vincent Hantam – Internationally acclaimed South African ballet dancer, choreographer, and teacher, celebrated for his pioneering role as one of the first black dancers to perform with the Royal Ballet School and Scottish Ballet.

Christopher Kindo – Renowned dancer and choreographer, remembered as a trailblazer in contemporary South African dance and recipient of multiple national awards for his choreography and performance.

Professor Reza deWet – Award-winning playwright whose innovative body of work combined the surreal with the real, making her one of South Africa’s most important literary and theatrical voices.

Esmeralda Bihl – Acclaimed actress with a career spanning theatre, television, and film, recognised for powerful performances both locally and internationally.

André Odendaal – Veteran actor and director whose career of more than four decades has enriched South African stage, screen, and television with depth and artistry.

Dr Charl du Plessis – World-renowned concert pianist, composer, and Steinway Artist, celebrated for crossing the boundaries of classical and jazz performance with the Charl du Plessis Trio.

Wayne van Rooyen – Versatile actor of stage, television, and film, recognised with Naledi and SAFTA nominations for his dynamic performances across genres.

Vinette Ebrahim – Beloved actress and playwright whose career spans iconic theatre productions, television roles, and award-winning performances that continue to inspire.

Ilse Klink – Celebrated actress and singer, known for her commanding presence in musical theatre, opera, television, and film, with multiple accolades to her name.

Sandra Prinsloo – Legendary stage and screen actress, honoured with national awards including the Order of Ikhamanga, recognised for her more than 100 theatre roles and ground-breaking performances.

Frank Opperman – Iconic actor, musician, and director, best known for his unforgettable roles in Orkney Snork Nie and The Big Time, as well as his acclaimed stage work.

Elize Cawood & Wilson Dunster – Honoured jointly as one of South Africa’s most revered acting couples, remembered for their magnetic partnership on stage and screen.

Dr Victor (Victor Khojane) – Legendary musician, songwriter, and producer, known for his uplifting sound with The Rasta Rebels and as one of South Africa’s most popular live performers.

Bianca Le Grange – Multitalented singer, actress, and violinist who rose to fame on Idols and has since become a powerhouse in South African theatre and music.

Amanda Strydom – Acclaimed singer, songwriter, and actress, celebrated for her cabaret performances that combine music, poetry, and political commentary.

Stéfan Louw – Internationally acclaimed tenor and opera director, founder of the Stéfan Louw School of Singing, and a passionate advocate for bringing opera to new audiences.

Nataniël – Singer, songwriter, author, and entertainer, recognised as South Africa’s leading exponent of the solo stage act, with more than 110 original productions.

Pumeza Matshikiza – World-renowned soprano, Decca Classics recording artist, and cultural ambassador, acclaimed for her luminous tone and international performances.

Sibongile Mngoma – Award-winning soprano and voice coach, activist for the arts, and founder of the City of Roses Choir, recognised for her passion and humanitarian work.

Jana Cilliers – Veteran actress of stage, television, and film, with a career spanning decades and multiple awards recognising her contribution to South African theatre.

Kitty Phetla – Acclaimed ballerina and choreographer, celebrated internationally for her pioneering performances and her role as the first black ballerina to dance The Dying Swan in Russia.

Dr Samson Diamond – Award-winning violinist and educator, concertmaster, and arts leader, recognised for his role in building orchestral excellence in South Africa.

Greg Viljoen – Actor, writer, and director known for his innovative comedic work and acclaimed theatre productions, championing storytelling as a visceral art form.

Nicholas Ellenbogen – Playwright, director, and environmental activist, founder of Theatre for Africa, renowned for combining performance with conservation and education.

Kutlwano Masote – Esteemed cellist, conductor, and broadcaster, celebrated for his cross-genre collaborations and leadership in South Africa’s orchestral scene.

Thandiswa Mazwai – Multi-award-winning singer, songwriter, and performer, internationally recognised for her pioneering fusion of African traditional music with contemporary sounds.

Emma Renzi – Legendary opera soprano whose distinguished career brought South African opera to international stages, remembered as one of the country’s greatest divas.

CEO Corner

Paying tribute to the visionary leaders whose stewardship and creativity shaped the Roodepoort Theatre across decades, the following CEOs have been honoured:

Weiss Doubell(1980–2008) – Founding Artistic Director, who led the Sasol Pro Musica Orchestra and embedded opera and symphonic traditions at Roodepoort Theatre.

Maretha Smit (2007–2010) – CEO who guided the theatre through financial challenges, strengthened community connections, and broadened programming.

Steven Sack (2011–2013) – CEO, curator, and activist who advanced cultural access and infrastructure, and played a pivotal role in arts policy and development.

Xoliswa Nduneni-Ngema (2013–present) – Current CEO of Joburg City Theatres, a cultural leader steering the theatre into a new era of relevance and excellence.

Institutional Stars

Recognising the organisations and collectives whose work has built platforms for generations of performers and audiences alike, these institutions were honoured:

Rand Symphony Orchestra – Carel Henn – One of South Africa’s longest-running community orchestras, sustaining symphonic music for generations.

Jozi Youth Dance Company – Jayd Swart – A dynamic platform for young dancers to train and perform at professional levels.

Lefra Productions – Frans Swart – A leading theatre production house known for its farces, comedies, and national tours, contributing vibrancy to the Roodepoort stage.

National Eisteddfod – Dr Francois van den Berg – Champion of youth arts, whose leadership has given thousands of young performers the chance to shine.

Roodepoort Dance Festival – Wilcarina Yeats – A cornerstone youth dance competition, nurturing excellence and artistic growth for decades.

Russian School of Ballet – Yana Auger – Premier ballet school dedicated to world-class training in the Vaganova method.