Rhodes University has once again emerged as a creative powerhouse at the 2025 National Arts Festival - walking away with two Silver Ovation Awards and securing its place among the most compelling voices on the national Fringe stage.

One of this year’s standout moments at the National Arts Festival came early. A Childhood in Chalk, a moving inter-disciplinary piece from the Drama and Education Departments at Rhodes University, earned an Ovation Award on the Fringe programme.

As the National Arts Festival (NAF) opened its doors to another season of creative brilliance, a performance stood out not only for its musical excellence but for its emotional depth and cultural resonance. Echoes Across Continents: A Musical Journey from Europe to Africa, performed by accomplished pianist and Rhodes University PhD candidate Belinda de Villiers, was a fitting and poignant start to South Africa’s premier celebration of the arts.

Rhodes University deepens its long-standing relationship with the National Arts Festival (NAF) this year with a powerful offering that fuses research, pedagogy, and performance. With Makhanda as its canvas, Rhodes University continues to shape the national cultural conversation through bold, locally-rooted, and globally-relevant work.