by Thinus Ferreira
The South African theatre legend and anti-Apartheid campaigner Dawn Lindberg has died from a Covid-19 related illness. She was 75.
Des and Dawn Lindberg have been household names within South Africa's entertainment industry for decades, with Dawn who founded the Naledi Awards to celebrate achievement in South African theatre.
The Naledi Theatre Awards on its Facebook page made the announcement about her passing, saying "It is with great sadness that we announce that the founder and CEO of the Naledi Awards, Dawn Lindberg passed away this evening from a Covid-related illness".
Chris Avant-Smith, Naledi spokesperson told eNCA (DStv 403) that Dawn was "ill for about a week. She was in ICU in Plettenberg Bay".
"The family is really devastated. Dawn obviously been one half of the Des and Dawn Lindberg phenomenon - her husband Des is still in Plet and we're really very worried and sad for him. Obviously he wasn't able to see her towards the end."
Dawn Lindberg studied Fine Arts at Wits University, and in 1962 she met her husband and long-time partner in music and theatre, Des Lindberg, who was studying Law at the time. In 1965, the year they got married, they established their company, Cabaret and Theatre (CAT) as the first non-racial theatre production company to perform in public venues all over South Africa.
The iconic couple were known for their decades-long entertainment career, including the hit song "The Seagull's Name was Nelson" in 1971.
The couple hit the road when they bought a caravan and toured South Africa and the then Rhodesia, visiting small towns and cities with their legendary show, Folk on Trek. "There was no TV in those days, so to become known I the industry you had to go on the road and meet the people," said Des on the couple's website.
The couple's influence in the South African theatre industry has been far-reaching and significant: Des Lindberg was chairman of the Theatre Managements of SA for 22 years, and was on the boards of the State Theatre and the Joburg Theatre for 5 years each.
He crafted the new Standard Theatre Contract with the theatre Agents and Actors’ Union in 1998, which is still in use today.
Dawn Lindberg’s greatest achievement has been the creation and nurturing of the internationally recognised Naledi Theatre Awards, which has honoured over 300 artists and theatre makers, and awarded over 60 Lifetime Achievement Awards.
