The awards recognise outstanding scholars in the Humanities and Social Sciences for their contributions to telling authentic South African stories that shape new ways of knowing. Now in its 10th anniversary year, these awards emphasise the value of scholarly contributions to public discourse, highlighting their essential role in fostering social cohesion.
Bester won the 2025 Humanities and Social Sciences Award in the Best Public Performance category within the Creative Collections. His winning performance was entitled "Restring | Reverberate | Resonate."
The award-winning performance made a significant impact at the inaugural South African Strings Convention, hosted by the University in collaboration with the South African Strings Foundation (SASF) in March 2023. The event featured concerts, presentations, workshops, and the launch of the Journal of Southern African Strings, which was founded and edited by Bester.
The convention addressed the fragmentation of the Southern African strings’ community, institutional biases, and the exclusion of practice-based knowledge from scholarly discourse.
“To contribute to this discourse, Dr Mariechen Meyer, and I, through the SASF, commissioned ‘those who can’t sleep but still dream of dancing,’ a concerto for violin, uhadi, umrhubhe, and strings, co-composed by Matthijs van Dijk and Dizu Plaatjies,” said Bester.
The performance generated significant interest, leading to a second performance at the Stellenbosch International Chamber Music Festival in July 2023, conducted by Xandi van Dijk. A recording of the premiere was later screened at the FESTIVAL VOOR HET AFRIKAANS in The Hague, Netherlands, in November 2023.
Transdisciplinary performance
The work engages with Indigenous Knowledge Systems (IKS) by integrating indigenous African music, rock, and classical traditions, while allowing space for improvisation.
“This approach required a flexible performance style, as my violin part interacted dynamically with the uhadi and umrhube. I developed multiple versions of musical fragments to enable real-time responsiveness to improvised sections,” said Bester.
“The slow movement, particularly in its delicate interplay between the violin and umrhube, led me to research new approaches to instrumental dialogue, intonation, projection, amplification, rhythm, and timbre. These explorations expanded the violin’s expressive possibilities beyond conventional techniques, showing how different musical traditions can transform one another”.
What it means
“Winning this award is an immense honour. It is deeply affirming to know that my work resonates not only with my peers but also with the broader scholarly community. Moreover, this recognition underscores the relevance of the creative and performing arts in fostering meaningful discourse, and contributing to our collective understanding of society,” said Bester.
Additionally, Bester emphasised that artistic-led research often unfolds in unpredictable ways, with discoveries emerging organically throughout the creative process. He explained that this journey requires deep immersion, transcending concerns about peer recognition or public perception. Acknowledging Professor Pamela Maseko, the Dean of the Faculty of Humanities, for her unwavering support.
Prof Maseko and David
“For us in the Faculty of Humanities at Nelson Mandela University, Mr Bester’s 2025 HSS Award is a testament to the credibility of our scholarship in the Faculty,” said Prof Maseko.
“Through this work and the national recognition received, we are making bold and well-founded arguments that position Africa as a legitimate and rich source of knowledge, not just as a site of data collection or traditional wisdom common with the creative arts, but as a producer of theory, knowledge and innovation that is globally relevant”.
In addition to celebrating David’s outstanding achievement, three other members in the Faculty were in the 2025 HSS Awards Long List, in the Creative Collections and the Digital Humanities. These are Dr Mnqobi Ngubane, Tarryn Rennie and Jonathan van der Walt.
Early inspiration & interests
From an early age, Bester was captivated by music and its profound ability to communicate emotions and stories.
“Beginning violin lessons at the age of five opened up a new world for me, providing both a voice and a language through which I could express myself,” he said.
“This passion led me on a journey of discovery, where I was fortunate to be mentored by teachers and artists, whose infectious enthusiasm for their craft inspired me to teach and share the joy of music with others.”
The transition to into academia allowed Bester to intertwine his love for teaching, learning, and performing through creative research, offering a platform to delve into the intersections of music, culture, and society. This approach fosters a holistic and fulfilling relationship with the arts.
Enduring commitment
Bester’s commitment to growth and advocacy for the arts, both within academia and beyond, remains central to his work. He has received multiple Creative and Performative Arts Awards and led various ensembles. His commitment to music education and community engagement continues to drive his ambitions.
Through the University’s Department of Music and Performing Arts’ Pre-Tertiary Programme, Bester nurtures young string players at various stages of their musical development. His mentorship extends across South Africa, Zimbabwe, and Mozambique, where he works with violinists through lessons, masterclasses, and project-based initiatives.
