New Rudolf Gouws Prize takes classical music on tour

The Toyota Stellenbosch Woordfees’ first annual Rudolf Gouws Prize for a tourable classical music production was recently awarded at the 2026 Woordtrofees. The Cape Town Philharmonic Orchestra (CPO) Cello Ensemble was honored for their concert Cellissimo at this year’s Toyota Stellenbosch Woordfees in October.

The CPO is guaranteed to present the show at no fewer than four of the six arts festivals in the Festival Forum. The KKNK, Suidoosterfees, Vrystaat Arts Festival and Aardklop have already committed to including Cellissimo in their programmes for 2027. The prize covers all risks and travel costs, and the winner’s compensation is guaranteed.

For Peter Martens, leader of the CPO Cello Ensemble, the prize is personally very special. “Many Stellenbosch-based performing musicians were personally squinted with Rudolf and knew him as an exceptionally generous and supportive man. He loved music and could be seen at several concerts in any given week!” says Martens.

Martens explains that although the ensemble has performed widely in and around Cape Town and Stellenbosch, logistics and finances prove a challenge for travelling broader with six cellists and six cellos, hence the group has performed very little in the rest of the country.

“This prize is effectively a touring grant and the ideal gift to us, enabling us to spread our wings and perform at other festivals in South Africa next year. I look forward to honouring Rudolf through performances on tour next year, playing some of his favorite music and in doing so, bringing the joy of this unique ensemble to a wider audience,” says Martens.

From the 2027 prize onward, musicians can apply for the honours as part of the Toyota Stellenbosch Woordfees’ programme submissions process, and a panel of experts will determine the winner.

The Rudolf Gouws Prize is awarded in honor of the economist and philanthropist Rudolf Gouws, who was chairman of the Toyota Stellenbosch Woordfees for nearly ten years.

Saartjie Botha, director of the Toyota Stellenbosch Woordfees, says “Rudolf was a true philanthropist and a passionate supporter of the arts and artists, not only at the Toyota Stellenbosch Woordfees but also at the KKNK, Suidoosterfees and Aardklop. The Toyota Stellenbosch Woordfees awards the prize each year with the support of his family and the Festival Forum. It aims to build new audiences for classical music and to make classical music present on every festival platform”.

Sonia Gouws says the family’s motivation to support the prize is a celebration of her late husband’s legacy as a classical music enthusiast and supporter. “Currently, it is only the Toyota Stellenbosch Woordfees and Aardklop that present classical music alongside the plays and other shows. The KKNK does have a separate classical music festival later in the year, Klein Karoo Klassique. But now Cellissimo can also be showcased during the main KKNK, as well as at the Suidoosterfees and other festivals. The goal is to cultivate a love for classical music among festivalgoers nationwide,” says Sonia.

For the diary

Programme submissions for the 2027 Toyota Stellenbosch Woordfees programme, and thus also the Rudolf Gouws Prize, open at the end of November 2026. Keep an eye on the festival’s website woordfees.co.za/en/, social media and newsletter for announcements.