About
Who we are
National Children’s Theatre is the foremost theatre organization in Gauteng, shining the bright light of educational, engaging and award-winning theatre for children and youth throughout South African cities and rural areas, to rapturous reviews from children, parents and the media. Our unwavering purpose is to transform young lives and grow societies’ next generation of leaders through the kaleidoscope of vivid and engaging performance arts, original and instructive musicals, and immersive after-school programs.
What we do
NCT presents live theatre year-round at our renowned 4.5-acre campus in Johannesburg, which includes two indoor theatres, one outdoor theatre, a puppet theater, music room, and classrooms for the weekend workshops and our holiday camps. We also send touring theatre teams to all South African provinces, including distant rural areas.
Pre-COVID-19, NCT reached an audience of almost 100,000 a year, one of the busiest children’s theatres in South Africa. Currently, during Covid19 we built and now operate the only outdoor theatre for children in Gauteng. The outdoor theatre consists of a large expanse of lawn which holds a maximum of 100-150 children and families—who give us rapturous reviews—and we also observe all COVID-19 protocols.
Why we do it
NCT is incomparable in Gauteng, and in many parts of South Africa, not only for its breadth of services and for reaching many children who otherwise would not ever see live performance–but also for its continued ability to present live theatre during COVID-19.
At NCT, children work to strengthen their artistic voices and explore how theatre arts classes are relevant and supportive of their daily lives. Our workshop programs promote experiential, and interdisciplinary approaches to learning that center social-emotional development, collaboration, and self-expression—and our professional educators strive to incorporate the arts into literacy and learning.
Our impact
NCT is incomparable, not only for its breadth of services but also for reaching many children in townships and rural areas who otherwise would not ever see live performance. We’ve had vital impact on Gauteng’s children (and their families) since COVID-19 as the only theatre presenting children’s plays during this time. We’ve also welcomed more than 1 000 children from home and orphanages. A dozen children have attended our Saturday workshops on bursaries. NCT is also an economic engine for Gauteng. Since the start of COVID-19 we’ve run 7 productions and contracted more than 50 people in positions such as director, actor, stage manager, sound technician, set designer and maker, costume designer and maker, choreographer, and musical director.
Major Donors
We’re thankful for our donors who support our vision and make it possible to implement our programmes and present to a wide range of audience.
Soroptimist International of Jhb, Kavod Trust, National Lottery Commission, IDEON, PKF, BitCo, Eckards, Kryolan, Splitbeam
Team
Management
Tamara Guhrs, CEO
Lebo Mabunde, Administrator
Khanyisile Zwane, Education
Terrence Maphoto, Driver and Groundsman
Gideon Moyo, Assistant Stage Manager and Groundsman
Workshops
Khanyisile Zwane
Tshepo Matlala
Baleni T Ernest
Shakespeare Club
Rohan Quince, PhD
Trustees
Moira Katz (Chair and Secretary)
Lesley-Anne Bennett
Chesterton Smith PhD
Mpone Moeketsi
Ronald Kunene
Mpho Mosimane
Makhaola Ndebele
Andrea Katz
Awards
2024: Naledi Award for best production for children and young audiences for The Hobbit
2023: Naledi Award for best production for children and young audiences for Innocence Lost
2022: Naledi Award for best production for children and young audiences for Fantastic Mr. Fox
2022: Naledi Award for best performance in a production for children and young audiences for Sandisile Dlangalala as Mr. Fox
2021: Europcar Women in Leadership Award finalist: Moira Katz
2019 Naledi Award for Best performance in a play: Roberto Pombo, Charlie and the Chocolate Factory
2019 Naleldi Award Best supporting actor: Yamikani Mahaka-Phiri, My Children! My Africa!
2019 Naledi Award Outstanding Work in Theatre Education: Nathi Mthethwa
2019 Naledi Nomination for Best production for young audiences: Charlie and the Chocolate Factory
2019 Naledi Nomination for Best production for young audiences: The Cat in the Hat
2019 Naledi Nomination for Best Director of a play: Matthew Counihan, My Children! My Africa!
2019 Naledi Nomination for Best performance in a play for young audiences: Jay Hlatshwayo Duck for President
2019 Naledi Nomination for Best performance in a play for young audiences: Jaques de Silva The Cat in the Hat
2019 Naledi Nomination for Best supporting actor: Zolani Shangase My Children! My Africa!
2019 Rotary International Paul Harris Fellow Award for Outreach: Moira Katz
2018 USIBA Creative and Cultural Industry Award: Moira Katz
2018 Naledi Award for Best Production for young Audiences: Goggas!
2018 Naledi Award for Best actor: Game Bovana in Goggas!
2017 SATMAG Award best production for young rural audiences: Charlotte’s Web
2016 Naledi Award for Best Production for Children: Khokho’s Treasure
2015 Naledi Award for Best Actor: Gamelihle Bovana, James and the Giant Peach
2013 Naledi Award Best Production for Young Audiences: Secret Garden
2012 Naledi Award Best Production of Children’s Theatre: Goggas!
2021: Europcar Women in Leadership Award finalist: Moira Katz
2019 Naledi Award for Best performance in a play: Roberto Pombo, Charlie and the Chocolate Factory
2019 Naleldi Award Best supporting actor: Yamikani Mahaka-Phiri, My Children! My Africa!
2019 Naledi Award Outstanding Work in Theatre Education: Nathi Mthethwa
2019 Naledi Nomination for Best production for young audiences: Charlie and the Chocolate Factory
2019 Naledi Nomination for Best production for young audiences: The Cat in the Hat
2019 Naledi Nomination for Best Director of a play: Matthew Counihan, My Children! My Africa!
2019 Naledi Nomination for Best performance in a play for young audiences: Jay Hlatshwayo Duck for President
2019 Naledi Nomination for Best performance in a play for young audiences: Jaques de Silva The Cat in the Hat
2019 Naledi Nomination for Best supporting actor: Zolani Shangase My Children! My Africa!
2019 Rotary International Paul Harris Fellow Award for Outreach: Moira Katz
2018 USIBA Creative and Cultural Industry Award: Moira Katz
2018 Naledi Award for Best Production for young Audiences: Goggas!
2018 Naledi Award for Best actor: Game Bovana in Goggas!
2017 SATMAG Award best production for young rural audiences: Charlotte’s Web
2016 Naledi Award for Best Production for Children: Khokho’s Treasure
2015 Naledi Award for Best Actor: Gamelihle Bovana, James and the Giant Peach
2013 Naledi Award Best Production for Young Audiences: Secret Garden
2012 Naledi Award Best Production of Children’s Theatre: Goggas!
