This September, the Roodepoort Theatre marks its 45th anniversary with Celebrating Golden Chronicles, a black-tie evening honouring cultural icons, unveiling the Stars of Roodepoort installation, and celebrating the theatre’s enduring legacy.
Since its founding in 1980 as Pro Musica Theatre, the Roodepoort Theatre has been a beacon of artistic excellence, presenting more than 400 operas and 500 symphony concerts, and welcoming luminaries like Mimi Coertse and Nigel Kennedy. In 2013, under CEO Xoliswa Nduneni-Ngema, it became part of Joburg City Theatres, evolving into a vibrant home for diverse productions and community engagement.
The evening will reflect this history with a programme blending performance, recognition, and commemoration. Taking the stage on the night are a constellation of performers whose work embodies the theatre’s breadth and excellence: Dr Charl du Plessis (pianist), Stéfan Louw (tenor), Pumeza Matshikiza (soprano), Sibongile Mngoma (soprano), and Andre Odendaal (actor). Their performances bookend the evening’s centrepiece — the unveiling of stars honouring cultural legends in the newly refurbished foyer with the Stars of Roodepoort installation.
The first names announced include celebrated stage and screen icons Sandra Prinsloo, Vinette Ebrahim, Wayne van Rooyen, and Ilse Klink. Joining them are cultural figures across disciplines – musicians Dr Victor and Nataniël, ballet sensation Kitty Phetla, and acclaimed producer Frans Swart. These are just the first of 30 legends to be announced who will be permanently honoured with stars in the newly refurbished foyer, with further names to be revealed closer to the event and on the night.
The celebration will also see the launch of the 45th Anniversary Book, chronicling the theatre’s journey from its origins as Pro Musica to its present as a vibrant cultural hub. Long-serving staff members will also be honoured, underscoring that the theatre’s history is built not only on great performances but also on the dedication of those who have worked behind the scenes.
To ensure this spectacular Golden Chronicles resonates beyond the theatre walls, complimentary Wi-Fi will be provided to all 300 guests, enabling them to share their experiences in real-time with their audiences and bringing the public to the event via media coverage, and uninhibited digital engagement.
“As the Roodepoort Theatre steps into its next chapter, Celebrating Golden Chronicles is set to be not only a night of tributes but rather, a celebration of enduring power of the arts to unite communities, tell our stories, and inspire generations. In honouring those who built its legacy and throwing the spotlight on the artists who carry it forward, the theatre reaffirms its role as both a guardian of cultural heritage and a stage for bold new voices. The 45th anniversary is not only a celebration of the past, but also a promise of the theatre’s vibrant future in Johannesburg’s cultural landscape,” says Xoliswa Nduneni-Ngema, CEO Joburg Theatre.
