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Sport, Arts and Culture Minister, Zizi Kodwa, has launched the inaugural Cultural and
Creative Industry Awards. World-famous fashion designers Rich Mnisi and Laduma
Ngxokolo of Maxhosa are among the nominees in the fashion designer category.
Kodwa says the annual award ceremony will be held later this month to recognize and
celebrate the creative industry in all its forms. Speaking at the SABC’s headquarters in
Johannesburg, he mentioned this year’s event is the first of many more to come.
A total of 30 artists are expected to receive awards across eight categories in two weeks.
The nominees were announced following an intense nomination and adjudication process.
“We need the best of excellence, we need to help people aspire to something made in South
Africa and Africa,” said lead jury member Thebe Ikalafeng. “Global brands want to
participate in the South African space because of the exceptional work being done here,
whether visual art, music, or other creative fields.”
The event will be held under the theme “Recognizing the Brightest Stars.” Kodwa says the
award ceremony was prompted by a need to honour South African artists who sometimes
get little recognition at home. Other categories include Outstanding Museum, Outstanding
Children’s Book, and Textile Designer.
“Legendary artists like Brenda Fassie should have been more celebrated in their own
country,” Kodwa stated. “Even today, some are more celebrated across the Atlantic and
Indian Oceans than here at home. We need to honour recipients like recent Grammy
winners and raise our flag internationally through creatives using culture and excellence.”
The Department of Sport, Arts and Culture has partnered with the public broadcaster SABC
to ensure the awards reach people in far-flung areas of the country.