Imprint ZA founder, Mzukisi Mbane is up against Rich Mnisi and Laduma Ngcokolo in the Fashion and Textile Designer categoryThe unveiling of the inaugural Cultural and Creative Industry awards at the SABC In Auckland Park this week was Minister of Sports, Arts and Culture Zizi Kodwa’s response to the outcry of an industry that has spent decades lamenting being ignored.
Upon taking office just a year ago, Kodwa committed to bridge the gap between the recognition of sports, and the creative industries. This was to be done as there was already an awards ceremony dedicated to celebrating athletes and sports stars, but a similar recognition programme for the country's brightest stars in the creative industry did not exist in previous years.
Media partner SABC was challenged to put a brighter spotlight on the creative industry. This was based on observations of how news, sports and weather reports were a daily occurrence, however, only a handful of slots were reserved for cultural and creative programmes. Competing for the Outstanding Museums Award is the Hector Pieterson Museum, Olievenhuis Art Gallery, and the Kader Heritage Lodge.