Former Eastern Cape premier Nosimo Balindlela was recognised by the provincial government for her arts and culture activism in promoting Xhosa culture around the world.
Balindlela received a standing ovation as she went on stage to collect her Lifetime Contribution to Development and Promotion of Arts and Culture Award at the annual provincial cultural awards at the ICC in EL on Saturday night.
The former arts and culture MEC travelled the world officially wearing traditional attire and beads, and barefoot.
“I have been honoured with many awards in the world for promoting arts and culture, but this is the very first time that I have been honoured at home, and this makes me very happy. This award is the closest to my heart,” she said.
The ever humble Balindlela has worked hard to develop crafters and has particularly supported the women who manufacture beaded traditional attire, like imibhaco and izishweshwe who are mostly from rural areas and have no formal education.
Balindlela appeared around the world as a political leader wearing umbhaco, beads and traditional headgear.
The awards host, the department of sport, recreation arts and culture, received 70 nominations in 23 categories.
Nominations were open to any person who had achieved in any of the different categories provincially, nationally or internationally. Balindlela said a progressive country held its culture and heritage in high esteem.
“A nation that ignores the culture of its people is a dead nation. It is a nation with a crisis identity. The democracy did not only come with political freedom, but also we were freed from having our cultural practices oppressed,” she said.
Lifetime awards went to iconic actor Nomhle Nkonyeni, singer and producer Sizwe Zako, legendary Maskandi music singer Mlindelwa Mralatya better known as Nkunz’emdaka, Bishop Mandla Makhubalo, Professor Peter Mthuze and author Soga Mlandu.
Zako, 59, of PE has won more than 20 awards, but this is the second accolade from Eastern Cape. Nkunz’emdaka, 61, of Mbizana is the first to be recognised here at home. Zako, who started music when he was 18, said: “You can win as many awards internationally, but to be recognised at home is always closest to one’s heart. Whatever we do wherever we go, we always carry the flag of the Eastern Cape.”
Journo Sithandiwe Velaphi of Isol’ezwe newspaper, won the cultural journalist award and poet Jessica Mbambeni won the special award for her contribution to the promotion of tradition and culture.
A 15-year-old imbongi Vuyo Nqindana, who is in Grade 7 at Sangoni Primary in Mthatha, mesmerised the audience with his poem on Nelson Mandela. He was the official imbongi also at the National Reconciliation Day and had many people including President Cyril Ramaphosa happy. MEC Buyiswa Tunyiswa congratulated the artists and activists for making the province proud.
“We don’t want to acknowledge the enormous work attributed to our leaders such as Mam’u Balindlela when they are no more. We have to honour them while they are still alive.”
Tunyiswa said cultural diversity was an Eastern Cape strength, attracting tourists especially during the festive season...