Eastern Cape creatives help promote excellence in arts, culture
Eastern Cape locals in the arts and culture world were honoured at the 6th annual Provincial Arts and Culture Awards held at the East London International Convention Centre last Friday.
Hosted by the Department of sport, recreation and and culture (Dsrac), the awards celebrate and recognise individuals, groups, organisations or institutions who have played a role in promoting excellence in arts and culture.
Award winner Sonwa Sakuba said he felt honoured to be recognised.
“An award of this magnitude excites me as it fuels me with the drive to work even harder, and to pursue all my future endeavors with excellence.
“Growing up, my parents believed in my talent and my dreams, and even though it was tough at first, they ensured that I received the right training that has got me to get to where I am today,” Sakuba said.
EL theatre director extraordinaire Amanda Bothma also received an award for drama directing.
“Directing is a hard job and for the department to recognise and give encouragement is a privilege. I’m fortunate to put out productions on at the well equipped Guild Theatre.”
Bothma has a lot planned for this year, including the National Arts Festival.
Dsrac MEC Fezeka Bayeni said the amount of creative talent the Eastern Cape had produced remained unmatched, but admitted that a lot of talent left the province for greener pastures elsewhere.
“Through our support to entities like the Eastern Cape Provincial Arts and Culture Council, EL Guild Theatre, Port Elizabeth Opera House and the Eastern Cape Audio Visual Centre, we are committed to ensuring that the Eastern Cape doesn’t only produce talent, but our creative talent receives the necessary support for it to succeed and thrive within the province,” Bayeni said.
Dsrac received over 180 nomination for 23 categories, which were open to any person who had achieved on the provincial, national or international stage.
Seven professional adjudicators in music, indigenous knowledge, visual and performing arts and language selected the deserving recipients.
Other award winners were:
Khanyiso Dakada: Individual Lifetime Contribution to Arts and Culture
Classical Choral Singers and Academy: Music (Group)
Sipho Michael Lisa: Music (individual)
Jeanne Mould: Drama (set design)
Xolisile Bongwana: Dance (choreography)
Via Paterson Arts Club: Club: Dance (production)
Siphiwo Sobopha: Best Visual Artists in 2D Art
Siyathemba Siyobi: Best Visual Artists in 3D Art
Archibald Monyepao: Craft (Best Designer)
Ntombizanele Nyosi: Craft (Best Producer)
Nompucuko Zakaza: Literature (Oral IsiXhosa)
Mohlauli Lethola: Written Literature (Sesotho)
Bevan Boggenpoel: Written Literature (English)
Olivia Nomtinjana Mqaqa: Sign Language and Promotion
Anthony Drake: Arts and Culture Management
Lulamile Feni: Arts and Culture Journalism
Luzuko Dilima: Film Contributor
Ncedisile Victor Hulushe: Film
Mphumzi Xonxa: Indigenous Knowledge Systems Promotion
Special Awards:
Mawawa Creations: Craft
Sonwabiso Ngcai: Visual Art 3D
Zikhona Voyi: Craft Curation
Jahmil XT Qubeka: Filmmaking and Screenwriting
Sibusisiwe Nodada: Fashion Design Development
Sonwa Sakuba: Performing Arts
Nobesuthu Rayi: Arts Management
Mthuthuzeli Scott: Promotion of IsiXhosa in Sport
Mandisa Ngcuza: Music Development
Linda Sithole: Fashion Design
Simphiwe Botile, Qalintombi Priscilla Moses, Mandilakhe Gwashu: Performing Arts
Loyiso Nqevu: Indigenous Knowledge Systems
Luyolo Yiba: Music
Mzuvukile Skin Sipoko: Performing Arts (Posthumous)
Stompi Mavi: Music (Posthumous)
Magaret Mcingana: Music (Posthumous)
