Mid-Morning Magic’s Yolanda Maartens speaks to Mkhululi Mabija, director of the production “Mwana Wa Mvula”, recipient of a Gold Standard Bank Ovation Award, about this achievement.

“Mwana Wa Mvula”, directed by Mkhululi Mabija and choreographed by Bisi Bangiwe ka Jobela, explores the conflict between a rainmaker’s spiritual gift and his father’s Christian beliefs. Mabija speaks about this special musical journey and their musical theatre academy based in Kimberley, Amandla Danca Teatro ZA.

Standard Bank Ovations are awarded to standout fringe shows at the festival, marked with a badge on their show pages and posters. The panel reviews all new works daily during the national awards festival, and this year, 39 shows received Ovations across various genres, languages, and disciplines.

Picture: Facebook/Amandla Danca Teatro ZA

Notably, the Gold Award winners, “Dwaling/Ihare mâ” by Nama Khoi Productions and “Mwana Wa Mvula” by Amandla Dança Teatro ZA, both hail from the Northern Cape. 

Tebogo Gxubane (centre) received the Gold Standard Bank Ovation Award for Amandla Dança Teatro ZA’s “Mwana wa Mvula” at the 2024 National Arts Festival. Unathi Maqalekane from Standard Bank is on his left and Rucera Seethal of the National Arts Festival is on his right. Picture: Mark Wessels

Picture: Facebook/Amandla Danca Teatro ZA