The Fiëstas are the premier awards recognising outstanding achievement in Afrikaans theatre. Presented by KykNET, the television channel that has long championed Afrikaans storytelling, the awards honour productions, directors, designers and performers across South Africa’s arts festival circuit, from the KKNK to the Suidoosterfees and the Toyota Stellenbosch Woordfees. Winning a Fiësta is widely regarded as one of the highest honours in the local theatre world.
This year, the ceremony was held at The Bay Hotel in Camps Bay
Several artists whose work draws from communities that have historically sat at the margins of mainstream Afrikaans theatre walked away with awards, and their wins spoke to a broader, richer picture of what Afrikaans theatre looks and sounds like today.
Jefferson J. Dirks-Korkee took home Best Supporting Actor for his work in Huis In Sand, performed at the Toyota Stellenbosch Woordfees. His co-star René Cloete won Best Supporting Actress for the same production.
Angelo Bergh earned the Best Newcomer award for his work in Kompoun and Vannie Wal. Kompoun is a stage version of Ronelda Kamfer’s novel, telling a heavy but beautiful story through the eyes of two grandchildren, Nadia and Zavie. It looks at the tough realities of family life and survival on a farm. The play uses a circular stage with a farm gate, giving the audience an intimate look into the characters’ world. It is also a showcase of Kaaps Afrikaans, capturing the specific heart and language of the people it represents.
Die Een Wat Bly won Best Dance/Movement. It is a production that has been accumulating recognition for a while now. Grant van Ster, Shaun Oelf and Daneel van der Walt perform a piece that weaves together dance, physical theatre and drama around a dancer processing the death of his mother. Choreographed by Figure of 8 Dance Theatre, the work picked up multiple Kanna Award nominations at the KKNK across categories including best direction, best play and best ensemble.
Faheem Bardien received Best Lighting Design for Verwelkingslied, the final dramatic work written by Breyten Breytenbach before his passing.
The Full List of Winners of the KykNET Fiësta Awards 2026 Are as follow:
Best contemporary music performance: Duif (KKNK & Suidoosterfees
Best music production (Podium): The Scullery Quintet: Stir-Fried Sonatas (Momentum Aardklop)
Best music-driven theatre: Ek is nie Danie (Toyota Stellenbosch Woordfees)
Best performance in classical music (Instrumental): The Scullery Quintet: Stir-Fried Sonatas (Momentum Aardklop)
Best achievement in dance/movement: Die een wat bly (KKNK, Suidoosterfees and Momentum Aardklop)
Best performance in a solo performance: Wian Taljaard in Ont- (KKNK)
Best performance in children’s and youth theatre: Grommels (Vrystaat Kunstefees)
Best translation or adaptation of an existing work: Danie Marais for Ek is nie Danie (Toyota Stellenbosch Woordfees)
Best newly created Afrikaans/South African text: Breyten Breytenbach for Verwelkingslied (Suidoosterfees and Momentum Aardklop)
Best performance in a comedy: Chris Vorster in Gebou soos Steffi Graf (Free State Arts Festival)
Best Comedy: Moedswil en muitery (KKNK)
Best Achievement in Visual Arts: Die stomme aarde by Henk Serfontein (KKNK)
Best Visual Achievement: Marthinus Basson for the visual design for Boklied (Toyota Stellenbosch Woordfees)
Best Achievement in Lighting Design: Faheem Bardien for Verwelkingslied (Suidoosterfees and Momentum Aardklop)
Best Achievement in Sound and Music Design: Schalk Joubert for the music design for Ek is nie Danie (Toyota Stellenbosch Woordfees)
Best Junior Newcomer: Judi Hattingh for Annie+Helen
Best Newcomer: Angelo Bergh in Kompoun (Suidoosterfees, Toyota Stellenbosch Woordfees, KKNK) and Vannie Wal, af (Suidoosterfees)
Best male supporting actor: Jefferson J. Dirks-Korkee in Huis van Sand (Toyota Stellenbosch Woordfees)
Best female supporting actor: René Cloete in Huis van sand (Toyota Stellenbosch Woordfees)
Best actor: Albert Pretorius in Ek is nie Danie (Toyota Stellenbosch Woordfees)
Best actress: Antoinette Kellermann in Verwelkingslied (Suidoosterfees and Momentum Aardklop)
Best ensemble: Boklied (Toyota Stellenbosch Woordfees)
Best direction: Marῖ Borstlap for Verwelkingslied (Suidoosterfees and Momentum Aardklop)
Best presentation: Ek is nie Danie (Toyota Stellenbosch Woordfees)Production of the year (The standout production that had everyone talking.): Ek is nie Danie (Toyota Stellenbosch Woordfees)
Author: Editorial Team
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