Bongani Nicholas Ngomane: With 33 Naledi nominations, the South African State Theatre shines as a hub of powerful storytelling and creative excellence.

South African State Theatre earns 33 Naledi nominations, affirming its role as a national creative hub

The South African State Theatre has secured an impressive 33 nominations at the 2026 Naledi Theatre Awards for productions staged in 2025, reaffirming its position as one of the country’s most influential platforms for theatrical innovation, collaboration and cultural expression.

Announced following rigorous deliberations by the Naledi judging panels, the nominations reflect a year in which more than 100 productions were evaluated across the country. Judges commended the exceptional quality and diversity of South African theatre, noting that the high standard of work prompted the reintroduction of the Best Cutting Edge Production category.

Within this vibrant landscape, the State Theatre’s footprint is unmistakable.

Its large-scale musical production The Fatherland, presented in partnership with the Tlou Cholo Foundation, received nominations across multiple major categories including Best Production of a Musical, Best Director of a Musical Theatre Production for Aubrey Sekhabi, Best Lead Performances, Best Musical Direction and Best Original Score. The work’s sweeping political narrative and musical ambition positioned it as one of the year’s defining theatrical statements.

Movement-based storytelling also featured prominently. What Have You Done With The Garden?, presented during the Kucheza Afrika Festival, earned recognition in the Dance, Physical Theatre and Ballet categories, highlighting the festival’s growing importance as a platform for choreographic innovation and interdisciplinary performance.

The theatre’s collaborative ethos is further reflected in nominations for productions associated with its platforms. Trans/Vaal, co-presented through Kucheza Afrika, received a nomination for Best Cutting Edge Production, while Prooi/Prey, staged in association with the theatre, was similarly recognised for its bold artistic vision.

Technical and design excellence across productions connected to the State Theatre is equally notable. Nominations in lighting, sound, set and audiovisual design underscore the institution’s commitment to integrated theatrical craft, where technical artistry enhances narrative and performance.

Ensemble nominations for productions staged in collaboration with partners further affirm the theatre’s role as a national convening space for artistic exchange and sector development.

Beyond awards recognition, the nominations speak to the broader cultural mandate of the South African State Theatre. As both producing house and national platform, it supports emerging artists, hosts international collaborations, nurtures youth development initiatives and presents work that engages directly with social realities.

The 21st Naledi Theatre Awards ceremony will take place on 23 March 2026 in the Opera Theatre at the South African State Theatre in Pretoria and will be streamed via SAST TV, expanding access to the celebration of theatrical excellence.

At a time when the arts sector continues to navigate economic pressures and shifting audience landscapes, these nominations serve as a powerful reminder of theatre’s resilience and relevance. They recognise not only artistic achievement but also the collaborative ecosystems that sustain creative practice in South Africa.

In honouring the artists, technicians, designers and cultural workers behind these productions, the nominations affirm what the stage continues to reveal: that South African theatre remains a vital space of imagination, critique and collective storytelling.

Bongani Nicholas Ngomane
nicholasngomane87@gmail.com
072 700 6030
SA Theatre Reviews
http://www.satheatre.co,za

Disclaimer: Artslink.co.za encourages freedom of speech and the expression of diverse views. The views published do not necessarily represent the views of Artslink.co.za.

Comments:
The South African State Theatre’s 33 Naledi Theatre Awards nominations affirm its vital role in shaping South Africa’s contemporary performance landscape. Beyond recognition, the nominations reflect a thriving culture of collaboration, artistic excellence and socially engaged storytelling. They highlight the theatre’s continued commitment to nurturing talent, advancing innovation and ensuring that the stage remains a space where the nation’s diverse voices, histories and aspirations can be seen and heard.