The highly regarded Award, in remembrance of Xolani Nettleton “Tunkie” Dyusha (1961-1999), is given annually to a South African who has elevated the standards and visibility of dance in the country.
The award was first awarded in 2003.
“This is a great honour for our institution,” said Rita van den Heever, in 2009, then head of the Arts Centre, “since the award symbolises all that Tunkie lived for and that the Arts Centre is dedicated to: the art of movement, freedom of expression and the pursuit of excellence in the arts and beyond.”
Tunkie came from a disadvantaged background in the Eastern Cape. Equipped with not much more than the determination to succeed, he moved to Johannesburg in the early 1980s.
Despite enormous obstacles, he was able to further his education at a tertiary level, completing qualifications in business, marketing and sales.
Tunkie began his career at Nedbank in Johannesburg and he seized the challenges presented to him in the early 1990's. He worked with the team that conceptualised and subsequently launched the Nedbank Arts and Culture Affinity Programme.
This culminated in the establishment of ACT, the Arts and Culture Trust of the President, with former President Nelson Mandela as its Patron.
Rita van den Heever says: “Tunkie can be called an ambassador for the Arts, an unsung hero that dedicated himself to promoting dance in our country.
“He was involved in many important ground-breaking initiatives and arts sponsorships, that most certainly set the trend for corporate South Africa, post the sanctions era: the Dance Theatre of Harlem, the first post-sanctions cultural tour, officially announced at the United Nations; the London Philharmonic Orchestra; Kiri te Kanawa; Lord of the Dance; Maestro Raffa's stadium extravaganza of Verdi's Aida and many more local and very significant arts sponsorships.”
The UJ Arts Centre will also be the venue of the Tunkie Memorial Lecture that will be given by the winner.
The names of the winners are engraved on the floating trophy of the Tunkie Award, a Chi Wara. This is a ceremonial headdress from Mali, which is on permanent display in the foyer of the UJ Arts Centre Theatre.
Each of the recipients also receive a specially cast medal as well as a lapel pin.
Previous recipients of the Award are:
- 2003: David Thatanelo April
- 2004: Alfred Hinkel
- 2004: Posthumously, Jackie Mbuyiselwa Semela
- 2005: Sylvia Glasser
- 2006: Robyn Orlin
- 2007: Jay Pather
- 2007: Lifetime Achievement, Philip Stein
- 2008: Nicola Danby
- 2009: Adrienne Sichel
- 2010: Georgina Thomson