The City of Ekurhuleni’s commitment to nurturing grassroots talent has received prestigious national recognition, as the Dumisani Masilela Theatre scooped the Best Fringe Production award at the esteemed Naledi Theatre Awards. The ceremony was held on Monday, 16 June 2025, at the State Theatre in Pretoria, celebrating excellence within the South African performing arts industry.
The accolade was awarded for the compelling theatre production Taxi Wars, which captivated audiences and critics alike. Produced through a collaborative partnership between the Dumisani Masilela Theatre and the Joburg Theatre, the play was further honoured with a nomination for Best Performance in a Fringe Theatre Production for an outstanding performance by cast member Refilwe Setati.
Now in its annual edition, the Naledi Theatre Awards are South Africa’s premier platform for recognising excellence in live theatre. Winning a Naledi is widely regarded as one of the highest accolades in the country’s performing arts scene. What makes this triumph particularly meaningful is its origin story. Taxi Wars is the culmination of a five-year artist development programme initiated by the City of Ekurhuleni, designed to empower emerging artists and strengthen community arts practice.
The programme began as a mini drama festival featuring 16 community-based groups, which were gradually shortlisted to four through a rigorous adjudication process. These selected groups received extensive mentorship and training in essential performance and production disciplines — including acting, voice, dance, storytelling, lighting, sound, and stage management. Seasoned creative mentors such as Dr. Tu Nokwe, Baby Cele, Masoja Msiza, and Ihhashi Elimhlophe guided the process, ensuring aspiring artists benefited from expert industry knowledge and skills transfer.
This milestone win not only celebrates artistic excellence but also affirms the city’s ongoing investment in arts education and work-readiness programmes for local creatives. Speaking on behalf of the city, a representative expressed pride in the programme’s success: “This award is testament to what is possible when communities are empowered, and young talent is given a platform to grow and thrive. We remain committed to creating opportunities for our artists and making the arts accessible to all.”
As the curtains close on this chapter, Ekurhuleni’s Dumisani Masilela Theatre stands as a beacon of creative opportunity, showcasing how municipal arts programmes can shape careers, inspire communities, and contribute meaningfully to South Africa’s cultural landscape.