In a groundbreaking moment, puppetry designer Luyanda Nogodlwana secured the University of the Western Cape’s (UWC) first-ever Fleur Du Cap Award, marking a significant milestone in the institution’s journey through the realm of theatre excellence.
Maxeke puppet from the production, MAXEKE: This work is not for yourselves.
The prestigious theatre awards took place at the Baxter Theatre on 17 March 2024, where Nogodlwana of the Ukanda Puppetry Collective at the Centre for Humanities Research (CHR) won Best Puppetry Design.
He was the lead puppetry designer for the life-size puppets in the theatre production MAXEKE: This work is not for yourselves by the CHR and the Ukwanda Puppetry Collective performed at the Star Theatre in February 2023.
Nogodlwana's achievement is even more significant as UWC does not have a taught arts programme.
CHR Director Heidi Grunebaum said: "The award is a powerful acknowledgement and affirmation of the work and achievements of the Ukwanda Puppetry Collective and its lead puppetry designer, Luyanda Nogodlwana, for the Maxeke puppetry production.
The award is also significant as UWC's first Fleur Du Cap Award."
In February 2023, the CHR and Ukwanda production brought the figure of Charlotte Maxeke to the South African public, not just as a political icon but as a prominent intellectual figure of the trans-Atlantic world of the early Twentieth Century.
CHR artists the Ukwanda Puppetry Collective and CHR writer-in-residence Buhle Ngaba created a puppetry production that was a provocative re-imagining of the life of Charlotte Maxeke.
Nogodlwana said: "I was doing painting and sculpture and always an artist, and when I started learning about the Handspring Puppet Company. That's when my love for puppets started."
The now award-winning artist readily admits that he's always learning about the craft and art of puppetry, from perfecting drawings that come to life on stage.
Bringing the characters to life was also a unique experience for Nogodlwana: "This was challenging, but it was something good because I didn't really know much about Charlotte Maxeke, and I learned a lot about her.
It was not that difficult to design the puppets, but what was challenging was the material that we used, which was jelutong wood that we used to cast the heads and the hands of the puppets."
Directed by Itumeleng wa Lehulere, MAXEKE: This work is not for yourselves is based on an original script by Buhle Ngaba and PhD research by former CHR fellow and UWC History graduate Dr Thozama April, with musical direction by Neo Muyanga, puppetry direction by Aja Marneweck, and projection design and creation by Kirstin Cummings.
About the Iyatsiba Lab
The Centre for Humanities Research in Greatmore Street, Woodstock, is home to the Iyatsiba Lab.
A nexus for postgraduate research, advanced scholarship, youth mobility, international partnerships, and arts education for artists, scholars, and collaborators across urban and rural lines, the CHR's Iyatsiba Lab has emerged as a focal point for international collaborations and for charting future directions in humanities research and pedagogy.
About the Fleur du Cape Theatre Awards
The Fleur du Cap Theatre Awards, amongst the most coveted within the South African performing arts fraternity, have honoured theatre excellence since 1965.
Support for the theatre also has a broader significance. Long before our democracy was entrenched, the theatre could give a voice to the otherwise unheard.
Today, it continues to provide powerful and challenging insights and helps to transform the public consciousness. Every year, Fleur du Cap winners are chosen after an evaluation of around 90 productions staged at some 20 venues in and around Cape Town.
The judging panel comprises local critics, journalists, writers and drama educators.
Maxeke puppet from the production, MAXEKE: This work is not for yourselves. The prestigious theatre awards took place at the Baxter Theatre on 17 March 2024, where Nogodlwana of the Ukanda Puppetry Collective at the Centre for Humanities Research (CHR) won Best Puppetry Design.
He was the lead puppetry designer for the life-size puppets in the theatre production MAXEKE: This work is not for yourselves by the CHR and the Ukwanda Puppetry Collective performed at the Star Theatre in February 2023.
Nogodlwana's achievement is even more significant as UWC does not have a taught arts programme.
CHR Director Heidi Grunebaum said: "The award is a powerful acknowledgement and affirmation of the work and achievements of the Ukwanda Puppetry Collective and its lead puppetry designer, Luyanda Nogodlwana, for the Maxeke puppetry production.
The award is also significant as UWC's first Fleur Du Cap Award."
In February 2023, the CHR and Ukwanda production brought the figure of Charlotte Maxeke to the South African public, not just as a political icon but as a prominent intellectual figure of the trans-Atlantic world of the early Twentieth Century.
CHR artists the Ukwanda Puppetry Collective and CHR writer-in-residence Buhle Ngaba created a puppetry production that was a provocative re-imagining of the life of Charlotte Maxeke.
Nogodlwana said: "I was doing painting and sculpture and always an artist, and when I started learning about the Handspring Puppet Company. That's when my love for puppets started."
The now award-winning artist readily admits that he's always learning about the craft and art of puppetry, from perfecting drawings that come to life on stage.
Bringing the characters to life was also a unique experience for Nogodlwana: "This was challenging, but it was something good because I didn't really know much about Charlotte Maxeke, and I learned a lot about her.
It was not that difficult to design the puppets, but what was challenging was the material that we used, which was jelutong wood that we used to cast the heads and the hands of the puppets."
Directed by Itumeleng wa Lehulere, MAXEKE: This work is not for yourselves is based on an original script by Buhle Ngaba and PhD research by former CHR fellow and UWC History graduate Dr Thozama April, with musical direction by Neo Muyanga, puppetry direction by Aja Marneweck, and projection design and creation by Kirstin Cummings.
About the Iyatsiba Lab
The Centre for Humanities Research in Greatmore Street, Woodstock, is home to the Iyatsiba Lab.
A nexus for postgraduate research, advanced scholarship, youth mobility, international partnerships, and arts education for artists, scholars, and collaborators across urban and rural lines, the CHR's Iyatsiba Lab has emerged as a focal point for international collaborations and for charting future directions in humanities research and pedagogy.
About the Fleur du Cape Theatre Awards
The Fleur du Cap Theatre Awards, amongst the most coveted within the South African performing arts fraternity, have honoured theatre excellence since 1965.
Support for the theatre also has a broader significance. Long before our democracy was entrenched, the theatre could give a voice to the otherwise unheard.
Today, it continues to provide powerful and challenging insights and helps to transform the public consciousness. Every year, Fleur du Cap winners are chosen after an evaluation of around 90 productions staged at some 20 venues in and around Cape Town.
The judging panel comprises local critics, journalists, writers and drama educators.
