20 May 2009 Top youth performers in the arts were rewarded at the sixth annual National Eisteddfod Academy Awards which was presented at the Arts Centre of the University of Johannesburg on Saturday 16 May.

Twenty-six individual performers and groups competed for these awards which have been gaining in prestige annually since it was established in 2004 by the National Eisteddfod Academy to provide a single prestigious platform for young performers in music, dance and drama to compete and showcase their talents.

These performers were selected out of 1650 top achievers from Gauteng, Limpopo, North West and Mpumalanga that participated in eisteddfod events presented by the National Eisteddfod Academy during 2008.

The full list of winners is:

• Overall senior winner: Dead Rattle, a Hip-Hop dance group that comprises of Morné du Toit, Laurie du Toit, Anthony Joubert, Rafael da Costa and Brandon Smith (Frontstage Studio, Middelburg);
• Most inspiring junior performer: Ying-Shan Tseng, a six year old blind pianist (Virtuoso Performing Arts Academy, Bedfordview)
• Best Performers Speech and Drama: Senior – Arno Daiber (Pretoria); junior – Ziske van Dyk and Izel Potgieter (Maritza Uys Studio, Komatipoort)
• Best Performers Contemporary Music: Senior – Julian Hepburn (Pretoria Boys High School); junior – Hannah Reynolds  (Leoni Els Studio, Tshwane)
• Best Performers Classical Music: Senior – Jason Mayr (Tiensie Lategan Studio, Randburg); junior – Wilmien Janse van Rensburg (Laerskool Jan Cilliers, Johannesburg)
• Best Performers Dance: Senior – Dead Rattle Hip-Hop dance group (Frontstage Studio, Middelburg); junior – Kristin Hattingh & Reze-Tiana Wessels (Bryanston Parallel Medium, Sandton).
• Damelin College Scholarship: Gordon Rikhotso (Delta Park School, Randburg)
• Academy College Scholarship: Julian Hepburn (Pretoria Boys High School);
• Best Large Group Performers: Gospel Choir of Lenz Public School, Soweto.

The panel of adjudicators comprised of well-known artists in the various disciplines: Neil Sandilands (actor), Henry Mylne (actor and TV producer), Fiona Budd (Director of Operations, Publicity and Human Resources for South African Ballet Theatre), David April (previously from Moving into Dance Mophatong), Peta-Ann Holdcroft (well-known cellist), Amarillie Ackermann (well-known harpist), Helenè Bester (well-known singer) and Katlego Maboe (a member of the vocal group Flip a Coin. Karl Azee was the host for the evening.


The NEA Awards 2009 included for the first time also the visual arts section.  The art work of the top achievers in this section will be on exhibition at Fine Art and Frames, Randridge Mall, John Vorster Drive, Randpark Ridge from 22 – 31 May.  The winners in this category were:

Visual Arts Awards: Senior – Johan Gebhardt (Hoërskool Monument, Krugersdorp); Junior – Elani Nell (Tehila Performing Arts Studio, Middelburg)

The total value of the prizes (cash and bursaries) is close to R100, 000.  Damelin College Bramley sponsored a bursary for a learner from a previously disadvantaged background for the third consecutive year. A new sponsor for 2009 is the Academy College, South Africa’s first facility modeled on the American sport and arts academies, which have produced world champions, renowned dancers, artists and musicians.

The National Eisteddfod Academy (NEA) is a non-profit organisation that creates opportunities for youth development in the arts. This is achieved through participation in eisteddfod and related events where young performers are exposed to the magic of the performing arts.

In order to qualify for the NEA Awards 2009/10 interested individuals, schools, studios or groups will have to obtain a diploma award in the Eisteddfod activities of the National Eisteddfod Academy during September - October this year. For any enquiries in this regard contact the NEA Office. The contact numbers are as follows: tel: 011-886-6005; fax: 011-787-3534; e-mail: This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. or log onto www.eisteddfod.co.za.