“How does it feel to have won Best Upcoming Artist for the Kannas? It feels quite fantastic. It’s an honour,” says 22-year-old, Stellenbosch University Drama Honours student, Devonecia Swartz. “However it doesn’t change anything. I still have rehearsal. I still have class. You know it’s a beautiful accolade to add to the CV but you are only as good as your last performance”, she adds.
Devonecia, or Diva as she is affectionately known by her fellow classmates, received her nomination after the debut performance of the children’s theatre-epic Jakkals en Wolf Onbeperk at the Klein Karoo Nasionale Kunstefees (KKNK). The play reimagines Pieter W. Grobbelaar’s, Jakkals and Wolf animal stories, and is narrated by South African news personality, Riaan Cruywagen.
With writer, Malan Steyn, and director Amelda Brand, who also received a Kanna nomination for Best Director, the cast underwent a rigorous rehearsal process. This included (but was not limited to) vocal and boxing training as well as animal behavioural workshops.
Jakkals en Wolf Onbeperk will grace Stellenbosch’s Adam Small Theatre from 4-11 May. Tickets can be booked on Quicket for R65.
In 2018, Swartz and Wilken Calitz were asked to perform at the Inaugural African Day lecture hosted by Stellenbosch University. With a Masters degree in Music and over 12 years in the industry, Calitz returned to Stellenbosch University to complete another Masters degree, this time in Creative Writing. He remembers Swartz in their first rehearsal as “this tiny girl with a lapdoek on her head”. With Calitz on the guitar and Swartz on vocals, their performance was a success. They were asked to perform again, this time for a school charity event.
The duo later went on to post one of Calitz’s original songs on Facebook; catching the attention of Niel Rademan who suggested they apply for Suidoosterfees. Invited to perform at the festival’s promotion evening, Swartz and Calitz were approached by Cornelia Faasen, Head of the National Afrikaans Theatre Initiative (Nati). “She then bought the show and also offered to have us release music,” says Swartz.
Swartz and Calitz launched their EP on 27 April at Suidoosterfees.
When speaking on Swartz’s professional and academic balancing act, Veronique Jepthas, Swartz’s close friend, classmate and fellow Jakkals en Wolf Onbeperk cast member, says: “Everyone just sees the final product but I got to hear that schedules were crazy and she really, really put a lot of work and hours into her EP launch and then to see the end result and to hear it that just makes it even better”.
Devonecia + Wilken the EP. PHOTO: Supplied.