article written by Dumisani Hlatswayo (Transform SA)
On February 22nd, something extraordinary happened in South Africa, especially for us creatives. It was a historic day, marked by the launch of the Cultural and Creative Industry Awards (CCI Awards) by the National Department of Sport, Arts, and Culture. The event was a star-studded affair, with journalists and the biggest names in the creative space in attendance. This launch will be remembered as a pivotal moment in recognising and celebrating the talents of our vibrant creative community.
In recent years, we have witnessed sports stars being recognised with accolades and substantial prize money, sometimes up to R100,000 or more. We cheer for them and celebrate their achievements as always, but afterward, we often wonder why creatives don’t receive the same level of recognition for representing our country on the international stage. It is time for our talented creatives to receive the same acknowledgment and rewards for their efforts in showcasing our culture and talents globally.
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Minister Zizi Kodwa of the National Department of Sport, Arts, and Culture, in partnership with the Gauteng Provincial Department of Sports, Arts, Culture, and Recreation, has officially launched the inaugural CCI Awards. Known as the CCI Awards, these awards are set to become the most prestigious recognition in the South African creative industry. They will honour the country’s top creatives across various categories and subdomains, celebrating those who demonstrate exceptional artistic and technical prowess.
“ We envisage these to be the most desired cultural recognition in the South African creative industry in the years to come,” said Minister Kodwa.
“Today is the ideal time to stop, take a deep breath, and reflect on the success of how South Africa has progressed over the past 30 years since democracy. And in particular, the arts and culture sector that has flourished immensely in the past decade,” he added.
These awards celebrate creatives from diverse cultural backgrounds who continuously push the boundaries of their craft. They are individuals who demonstrate unwavering commitment to excellence, showcasing groundbreaking creativity and relentless innovation. These qualities distinguish them as outstanding among the best in their fields.“ It is important to note that South African Artists have proven to be innovative and creative in many facets of the creative industries and have conquered the global stages. We celebrate and congratulate our past and current Grammy winners – Tyla, Zakes Bantwini, Nomcebo Zikode and Wouter Kellerman, and I also congratulate all other South Africans that are making waves in the Creative Industries globally. We see you,” said Kodwa.
It is interesting to see major brands coming forward to sponsor the CCI Awards. Minister Kodwa extended a heartfelt thank you to the following sponsors of the awards:
The Gauteng Department of Sport,Arts,Culture and Recreation
BMW
Red Bull
Southern Sun
Melrose Gallery
“We hope these awards will boost the reputation of many creatives and set them apart from the rest. Boost their morale by highlighting their achievements. Signaling to the world that they are the best among the best, thereby affirming their credibility. We also hope that through this platform the creatives will engage with other creatives to foster a culture of learning from each other and more collaborations,” he said.
“We want to have an African version of the Oscars,” minister Kodwa told journalists. The awards ceremony for the CCI Awards is scheduled to take place on the 30th of March 2024. The exact date and venue will be confirmed soon.
