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The annual festival, which is presented by the NWU’s PUK Arts and the Student Council’s Art Council on the campus in Potchefstroom, took place from 10 to 12 May.

 

Constant van Graan, a lecturer in forensic accountancy, walked away with top honours in the staff category. His rendition of Sahara’s gospel song Loliwe, in isiXhosa, inspired the judges and audience and secured him first place in the category, which proved to be one of the highlights of the evening.

 

Music brings us together

 

“The festival was an exceptional experience for me and definitely one of the highlights of my music career,” he said. “The sound, lighting and accompaniment by the Pukki orchestra were of international standard.”

 

Constant says the enthusiasm of the audience, some of whom were his students, will always resonate with him. “The isiXhosa song just made me again realise that music brings people together, even if they are from different backgrounds.

It was an evening of powerful performances, enjoyable classics and extraordinary talent. The 34th Pukki Talent Festival was not only a platform for students to showcase their talents, but also for staff to shine with entertaining and inspiring performances.

It is very important to bring people together in these challenging times we are currently experiencing in our country.”

 

Gregory Sekobotsane of the NWU’s web office and his partner, Moleboheng Khumalo, were runners-up in the category with their breathtaking dancing of a samba, the Cola cha-cha.

 

Lizz Meiring, a doyenne of television, theatre and film, was the master of ceremonies in front of a lively and enthusiastic crowd in the Sanlam Auditorium.

 

Star-studded panel of judges

 

The judges included Mynie Grové, well-known singer and songwriter, and Stefan Enslin, alumnus of the NWU and maker of the films Strikdas and Nul is nie niks nie.

 

Mynie was especially impressed with the talent of the students and the live orchestra. Stefan said he was amazed by the high standard of every performance. The judges of the contemporary categories included Nkosinati Tom, Louis Nigrini and last year’s winner in the staff category, Rochelle Langford.

 

Jaco van der Walt, director of PUK Arts, thanked all the staff, students and members of the community who attended this year’s event. “We look forward to surprising everyone again next year with all the wonderful talent on campus.”

Click here to see who the winners in the student section of the festival were.

The extraordinary talents of these category winners were showcased at the 34th Pukki Talent Festival.

(All photos were taken by Annemarie Wichmann and Peet Ryke.)

Constant van Graan’s inspiring performance of singer-songwriter Sahara’s gospel classic

Loliwe won him first prize in the staff category.

Runners-up Gregory Sekobotsane, social media specialist, and his dancing partner,

Moleboheng Khumalo, thrilled the audience with a lively samba.

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Suzette Nunes, translator at the Faculty of Education Sciences, performed the samba for an enthusiastic audience.
Peet du Toit, human resources specialist at People and Culture, returned to the festival stage 32 years after first competing as a student.
Johan Gouws is a lecturer in business management. His rendition of Kurt Darren’s "Kom bietjie hier" inspired many members of the audience to sing and clap along.