LEGENDARY actor John Kani's son, Atandwa, scooped the best newcomer accolade at the 10th annual Naledi Awards held in Johannesburg last night.

The young Kani, who won the award for his role in the State Theatre production Rhetorical, said he believed that recognition was more important than winning.

"You cannot have a winner in the arts," Kani said. "I would like to thank my parents because they supported this crazy dream from the beginning, and made me push harder."

Kani also made headlines this year when, together with Nat Ramabulana, he appeared in the iconic play The Island, which was made famous by his father, together with Winston Ntshona and playwright Athol Fugard back in the 1970s.

While studying drama at Wits University, Kani and Ramabulana excelled in student dramas including ID Pending and Hayani. Kani is now in the SABC 3 series High Rollers.

Kani senior earned a Naledi lifetime achievement award in 2005.

Songbird Sibongile Khumalo became the latest lifetime achievement award recipient. As Naledi award chairman Dali Tambo presented her with her award, describing her as SA's First Lady of Song, she asked her two children, son-in-law and grandson to join her on stage and made a passionate plea for tolerance, peace, brotherhood and goodwill in the country.

"As I go on to the next phase of my life and career, I'm asking you - all fellow South Africans - to join me on March 21 [Human Rights Day, Thursday] to create circles of healing because SA needs it."

Khutjo Green got the best actress award for her acting in The Line. The Miser by Silvaine Strikes garnered four awards.

The rest of the winners:

Executive director's award - Yvette Hardy

Best theatre set design - Denis Hutchinson for Delirium

Best theatre lighting design - Tina le Roux for Abnormal Loads

Best theatre sound design - Braam du Toit for Lot/Betésda/Babbel

Best production of children theatre - National Children's Theatre

Best community theatre - Sello Le Dipogiso for Black Child Productions directed by Thembeni Joni

Best original choreography - Loukmaan Adams and Jodi Abrahams for Kat and the Kings

Best musical director - Louis Zurnamer for The Phantom of the Opera

Best ensemble production - Delirium

Best performance by an actor in a supporting role - Jeremy Richard for Red

Best performance in a musical - Samantha Peo for Cabaret

Best performance in a musical - Jonathan Roxmouth for The Phantom of the Opera

Best performance by an actor in a lead role (play): Michael Richard for Red

Best new South African script - Abnormal Loads

lBest production of a musical - The Phantom of the Opera.