South Africa announces its first ever Cultural and Creative Industry Awards

The Department of Sport, Arts and Culture has announced the launch of the inaugural Cultural and Creative Industry Awards.

The South African Cultural and Creative Industry Awards (CCIA) is an initiative that affords an opportunity for creatives and South Africans to honour the best amongst creative, to acknowledge the wisdom, voice and experience of the creative community and its positive influence on the country's nation building projects and its ability to inspire the world.

"Amongst several reasons, these awards are intended to intentionally lift up, support the creative and cultural riches that join people together, nourish the spirit, liven up communities, inspire and create a vibrant nation, to also benchmark ourselves against the best in the world as we do them, to create a truly special moment" says Minister of Sport, Arts, and Culture, Zizi Kodwa.

The Cultural and Creative Industry Awards are to be the most desired recognition and cultural phenomenon in the South African creative industry, bestowed on SA's top and leading creatives in the various creative sector categories and subdomains, creatives that exhibit outstanding artistic and technical achievement.

These are creatives from across cultural domains that push the boundaries of their creative ability and show devotion to excellence with uncompromising quality, groundbreaking creativity, and relentless innovation that defines those that are outstanding from the best.

These awards also act as a catalyst for economic development and social cohesion, building bridges between culture, media, and corporate sectors.

The Cultural and Creative Industry Awards comprise eight categories and 30 awards.

Here's the breakdown:

The Heritage Site Category (x3 Awards)

Outstanding Museum Award

Outstanding Archaeological & Historical Site Award

Outstanding Cultural Landscape Award

The Visual Arts & Craft Category (x3 Awards)

Outstanding Visual Artist Award

Outstanding Curator Award

Outstanding Crafter Award

The Literary Works Category (x4 Awards)

Outstanding Children Fiction Book Award

Outstanding Book, Fiction Award

Outstanding Book, Non-Fiction Award

Outstanding Publisher Award

The Audio Visual & Interactive Media Category (x6 Awards)

Outstanding Film Fiction Award

Outstanding Documentary Film or TV Series Award

Outstanding TV Drama Award

Outstanding Actor TV and Film Award

Outstanding Animation Award

Outstanding Gaming Award

The Design & Creative Services (x4 Awards)

Outstanding Fashion and Textile Designer Award

Outstanding Graphic & Multimedia Designer Award

Outstanding Product Award

Outstanding Architecture and Interior Designer Award

The Performing Arts Category (x5 Awards)

Outstanding Theatre Production Award

Outstanding Dance Production Award

Outstanding Musician Award

Outstanding Actor in Theatre Award

Outstanding Performance Award (Poet, Comedian)

The Ministry (Discretionary Category) (x3 Awards)

These awards are decided, announced, and presented by the Minister of Sport, Arts and Culture.

Lifetime Achievement Award

Bestowed to someone with 20 years or more of documented achievement and outstanding contribution over the individual's whole career to the South African creative industry and internationally.

Internationally Recognised Artist or Group Award

This award is presented to an artist or group that has received international recognition, exhibited, and performed on international platforms for five years and more.

Artist with Disability Award

This award is awarded to a person with a disability who has achieved excellence in their craft within the creative and cultural industries.

The People's Choice category (x2 Award)

Breakthrough Artist Award

This award is awarded to a 'Newcomer' in the industry who is creating or producing brilliant work.

Online Creator of the Year

The award is voted for by the public and intended to honour and recognise the most influential online voices and content producers across the widest range of categories including lifestyle, finance, travel, comedy, fashion, technology and more.

Submissions for nominations close on 29 February 2024

For more, go to https://cciawards.co.za/.

Read More

Newly launched publishing house is seeking African short stories

Soma Nami Press, the exciting new publishing house based in Nairobi, Kenya, is on the lookout for captivating short stories for their debut Kenyan anthology. 

Titled "Kenya-ness", this anthology aims to showcase the rich tapestry of voices and perspectives that make up the vibrant mosaic of Kenyan culture.

Founded with a mission to share exceptional East African stories globally and bring compelling Pan-African narratives to East Africa, Soma Nami Press is committed to amplifying diverse voices and narratives from the region.

The anthology seeks fiction that celebrates, explores, questions, and challenges the essence, beauty, and uniqueness of "Kenya-ness". 

Soma Nami Press encourages submissions that are bold, engaging, and thought-provoking while remaining accessible to a wide audience. 

Writers are invited to push boundaries and experiment with different genres as long as their stories resonate with the theme.

This call for submissions presents a fantastic opportunity for writers to contribute to a groundbreaking project that promises to showcase the depth and breadth of Kenyan storytelling. 

Enter here: https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSf5PmuUWDq0uttDW1I3YnTtO6Al6jgV-0tQCNG0b3N0JQ_RsA/viewform

Read More

Poet writes a mind busting book about black masculinity

Nigerian-American poet Olatunde Osinaike published a searing debut poetry collection last year on December 5, 2023 with Akashic Books. 

Aptly titled Tender Headed, the stunningly tender poetry of Osinaike speak to Black identity and masculinity in the contemporary age in America.

Osinaike gained quite a bit of notoriety due to the fact that his manuscript for Tender Headed was selected by American poet Camille Rankine as the winner of the 2022 National Poetry Series. 

But Tender Headed is not merely tender in the content of the poems, but in form as well as Osinaike's poetic voice is both musical and formally playful.

Rankine praises the debut collection in her preface to the book, remarking that Osinaike brings out the musical quality of language as the words dance across the page for the attentive reader

Read More

Experience the magic of love with the February edition of the Afro Poetry Times #ValentinesDay

Experience the magic of love with the February edition of Afro Poetry Times.

This special edition is dedicated to celebrating love in all its forms.

Whether you're a poetry lover or a fan of romantic short stories, this issue has something for everyone.

Indulge in the beautiful love poems that grace the pages of this edition.

Let the words dance off the page and fill your heart with warmth and passion.

These poems capture the essence of love and will leave you feeling inspired and uplifted.

In addition to the poetry, this edition also features an inspiring article about a South African woman who found solace and healing through the power of poetry.

She overcame the pain of abuse and has now written a poetry book that is touching the lives of thousands.

Her story is a testament to the transformative power of words and the strength of the human spirit.

And let's not forget the heartwarming romantic short stories that will transport you to a world of love and enchantment.

These stories prove that love can be found in the most unexpected places and situations.

They will leave you with a smile on your face and a renewed belief in the power of love.

Don't miss out on this special edition of Afro Poetry Times.

Get your digital copy now from PressReader and let love fill your February with joy and inspiration.

https://www.pressreader.com/canada/afro-poetry-times/20240201/textview

Read More

Reeva Steenkamp Foundation posts touching short poet about grief on #ValentinesDay

The Reeva Steenkamp Foundation recently shared a heartfelt poem on grief, titled "Leave Her Wild." 

The poem, written by Sharyn Marsh, reflects on the pain and love that come with grieving. 

The foundation posted the poem on Saturday, 10 February, which marked one month since Oscar Pistorius was granted parole.

The poem begins by acknowledging the name of grief and its transformation from love to pain. 

It then portrays grief as a comforting presence, wrapping its arm around the grieving individual and assuring them that the love they shared with their lost loved one still remains. 

Although they may not be able to see their loved one's physical presence, the poem reminds readers that love is eternal.

Reeva Steenkamp tragically lost her life on Valentine's Day in 2013 when her boyfriend at the time, former Olympic runner Oscar Pistorius, shot her four times through a closed bathroom door in their home.

 Pistorius claimed he mistook her for a burglar and acted in self-defense.

Read More