Camdeboo Eisteddfod

Introduction

The arts have a vital role to play in nation building and the well-being of our people.

This is echoed in the words of our late national patron Mama Albertina Sisulu when she said: “𝘔𝘺 𝘨𝘳𝘦𝘢𝘵 𝘥𝘦𝘴𝘪𝘳𝘦 𝘵𝘩𝘳𝘰𝘶𝘨𝘩𝘰𝘶𝘵 𝘮𝘺 𝘭𝘪𝘧𝘦 𝘩𝘢𝘴 𝘣𝘦𝘦𝘯 𝘧𝘰𝘳 𝘢 𝘣𝘦𝘵𝘵𝘦𝘳 𝘭𝘪𝘧𝘦 𝘧𝘰𝘳 𝘵𝘩𝘦 𝘤𝘩𝘪𝘭𝘥𝘳𝘦𝘯 𝘰𝘧 𝘵𝘩𝘪𝘴 𝘤𝘰𝘶𝘯𝘵𝘳𝘺, 𝘵𝘩𝘪𝘴 𝘤𝘰𝘯𝘵𝘪𝘯𝘦𝘯𝘵 𝘢𝘯𝘥 𝘪𝘯𝘥𝘦𝘦𝘥 𝘵𝘩𝘦 𝘸𝘩𝘰𝘭𝘦 𝘸𝘰𝘳𝘭𝘥.”

Union High School subsequently established the annual 𝗖𝗔𝗠𝗗𝗘𝗕𝗢𝗢 𝗘𝗜𝗦𝗧𝗘𝗗𝗗𝗙𝗢𝗗, which will celebrate its inaugural edition this year, as an arts development platform, offering various opportunities to young performers from age 7 to 18, in all communities for participation, development and showcasing of talents in music, dance, theatre and fine arts.

𝙏𝙝𝙚 𝙚𝙨𝙨𝙚𝙣𝙘𝙚 𝙤𝙛 𝙖𝙧𝙩𝙨 𝙧𝙚𝙦𝙪𝙞𝙧𝙚𝙨 𝙤𝙛 𝙩𝙝𝙚 𝙥𝙖𝙧𝙩𝙞𝙘𝙞𝙥𝙖𝙣𝙩 𝙩𝙤 𝙚𝙭𝙥𝙤𝙨𝙚 𝙩𝙝𝙚𝙞𝙧 𝙨𝙤𝙪𝙡 𝙩𝙤 𝙥𝙚𝙤𝙥𝙡𝙚.

Exposing and giving of themselves, results in a vulnerability that the performer has to overcome and control to establish confidence and belief in themselves.

In the eisteddfod context, it provides participants with affirmation of their value as human being and fulfils the basic need for respect and recognition.

Some people might still argue that sporting events are of equal importance as enabler of human development.

However, it stands to reason, according to the National Eisteddfod of South Africa, that none of the attributes of sport has a stronger impact on the personal growth of individual participants, than those of the arts.

In essence, this is the magic of the arts.

Meet Our Adjudicators

Kelly Westraad – DRAMA ADJUDICATOR

Kelly Westraad brings over 20 years of experience in the drama world and holds an Honours degree in Drama and Theatre Studies from Stellenbosch University. She has a passion for the performing arts and has built a career as a teacher, director, scriptwriter, and performer.

She taught drama at Somerset College in the Western Cape for 17 years and led the Arts and Culture Department for 7 of those years. Alongside her school career, she also founded and ran her own drama school, KADS (Kelly’s Amateur Drama School), for 10 years, where she taught students of all ages.

Kelly is passionate about helping young people grow in confidence through drama. With many years of experience in the school system, on stage, and in theatre production, she brings professionalism, creativity, care, and energy to everything she does.

She has also worked as an adjudicator for the Cape Amateur Theatre Awards and for the Stellenbosch and Helderberg Eisteddfods. Whether she’s directing a show, writing a script, or teaching a class, Kelly loves helping young performers shine and grow through the power of theatre.

David Langmead – ART ADJUDICATOR

Internationally acclaimed wildlife artist, David Langmead possesses a rare talent forged by classical training and imagination fired by the African continent. His unique journey has empowered him with a command of landscape and anatomy and, at the height of his talents, he uses both to capture the richly layered beauty of the natural world.

Raised on a farm in Zimbabwe, Langmead delighted in his bushveld surrounding. It was there, absorbed in the landscape of granite koppies and msasa trees, that the young artist developed an intense love for the wild. It was a love based on observation and an affiliation with place.

Langmead went on to work as an in-house book illustrator for Longman Zimbabwe before moving to South Africa to study for a Fine Arts degree. He worked for many years in the commercial industry, developing an understanding of excellence and productivity in the trade.

Langmead’s ultimate dream however, was to work as a professional wildlife artist, and his life inevitably inclined back toward the draw of the veld. From the wilds of the Karoo, he launches many an expedition in search of the beautiful spirit of the southern African wilderness. His understanding of the light and color of the region is that of a resident long accustomed to nuance. He lives this complexity every day, and thus possesses an advantage over visiting artists from abroad. His perception of atmospheric depth and mastery of color separates him from many aspiring artists.

With an enthralling artistic vision, lovingly rendered in the quest for an elusive perfection, David Langmead stands tall among the finest contemporary wildlife and landscape painters of our day.

Bronwynne Kingwill – DANCE ADJUDICATOR

Bronwynne Kingwill is an accomplished ballet teacher with a rich background in dance. She had the privilege of training under renowned instructors such as Faith de Villiers, Bernice Kaye, Dudley Tomlinson and Mignon Furman. She has been affiliated with the Cecchetti Society of Southern Africa, the Royal Academy of Dance and the Dance Academy of South Africa. While her primary focus has been classical ballet, Bronwynne also holds expertise in modern and Spanish Dance. She has successfully run dance studios in both Knysna and Graaff-Reinet.

Lynne Gouws – INSTRUMENTAL, VOCAL & CHORAL ADJUDICATOR

When music is your being and your passion, it is not considered a job but a privilege. That is how Lynne Gouws experiences her music career thus far.

With a Masters Degree in Performance, Lynne has performed on various platforms as a classically trained Recorder player, Pianist and Singer. As a teacher her choirs have participated in many accolades. She is passionate about choir singing and feels that ALL kids should sing in choirs. It teaches them discipline, teamwork and builds character. Singing is so much part of my day that I make every situation a harmonious occasion.

I would like to wish every entrant the best of luck. Remember… if you have prepared your best, let the music do the rest.

Belinda Grewar – CREATIVE WRITING ADJUDICATOR

Belinda Grewar is a highly qualified English First Language teacher who completed her BA degree at Stellenbosch University in 1977, majoring in English and History. Thereafter she completed her Higher Diploma in Education at UCT, specializing in English and History Methodology.

Belinda taught at Knysna High, Pinedene Primary, Vaal High, Capricorn High and Jansenville High where she was appointed as Head of Department of Languages. Belinda is currently teaching at Union High School and is Subject Head for English Home Language. Her teaching career at Union High spans 28 years.

Belinda has 11 years’ experience as a marker for NSC exams (English Home Language paper III – the writing paper). Of the 11 years, she spent four as Senior Marker, ending in 2021 as Deputy Chief Marker.

Introduction

Meet Our Adjudicators

Downloadable Documents

Thank You, Tyremart!