Western Cape Cultural Awards honours Loukmaan Adams and local arts icons
Loukmaan Adams received a ministerial award for his contribution to the arts.
Image: Supplied
The Western Cape Department of Cultural Affairs and Sport (DCAS) celebrated extraordinary talent and dedication at its annual Cultural Awards ceremony at the Artscape theatre in Cape Town last week.
The prestigious event recognised outstanding contributions across arts, culture, language, heritage, libraries, museums, and archives sectors in the province, highlighting individuals who have transformed their communities through creative expression.
Renowned musician Loukmaan Adams was among the distinguished recipients of a Ministerial Commendation, celebrated for his decades-long contribution to Cape Town's vibrant performing arts scene.
Dr. Isaac Balie received the coveted Ministerial Legacy award for his lifelong dedication to heritage preservation, while Thandi Swartbooi, founder of the all-female ensemble Women Unite, was recognised for her pioneering work in preserving indigenous dance and music, and empowering communities through the arts.
The evening's theme, "Journey from Darkness into Light: Thrive," resonated throughout the ceremony, acknowledging the resilience of artists who continue to create despite challenges facing the cultural sector.
A group pic of all the award winnes at the Western Cape Arts and Culture Awards evening.
Image: Supplied
Head of Department Guy Redman captured this spirit in his address: "May tonight's awards remind us that thriving is not the absence of struggle – it is the courage to grow despite it. As Vusi Mahlasela may say 'The sun has risen.' Let us ensure it never sets on our collective dream to make culture the soul of this province."
Provincial Minister of Cultural Affairs and Sport Ricardo Mackenzie emphasised the transformative power of arts in society: "Art is the mirror and heartbeat of our society. It captures our shared struggles and triumphs, reminding us that creativity is both our refuge and renewal. The theme speaks to the spirit of our province, a spirit that refuses to be defeated by hardship and instead transforms it into hope, beauty, and understanding. When we celebrate our artists, we celebrate resilience, imagination, and the belief that through culture, we all move forward together."
The awards spanned multiple categories, recognising excellence across the cultural spectrum: In the performing arts category, Zolani Youth Choir received the Excellence in Performing Arts Award, while the Amoyo Performing Arts Foundation was honoured with the Innovative Community Arts and Culture Initiative Award for their community impact.
Literary talents were celebrated with Siphokazi Jonas receiving the Literary Excellence Award, while young creative Lluyle Arendse was named the Young & Innovative Artist Award recipient, representing the next generation of Western Cape artists.
The awards also highlighted important work in language preservation, with Jabaar Mohamed honoured for his project promoting South African Sign Language and indigenous languages.
The Suidoosterfees received the prestigious Neville Alexander Award for their multilingualism initiative "Met woorde soos kerse."
Library services played a prominent role in the awards, with Hermanus Library named Public Library of the Year. Other libraries recognised included Tesselaarsdal Library for community outreach, D'Almeida Library for digital literacy advancement, and Hawston Library for promoting reading and literacy development.
In the heritage sector, Harry Croome was named Active Volunteer of the Year, while the Blombos Museum received recognition for innovative projects in museums and heritage. The Genadendal Archival Pilot Project was honoured for its work in heritage site conservation, and the Togryers Museum received an award for promoting social inclusion.
The ceremony culminated with the announcement of the Ministerial Commendations, awarded to Joline Young, Thandi Swartbooi, Nkosikho Juqu, Loukmaan Adams, and Marco Olivier for their significant cultural contributions.
The highest honour of the evening, the Ministerial Legacy Awards, went to cultural champions whose lifetime achievements have profoundly shaped Western Cape's cultural landscape: Charmain Plummer, Eleanor Damon, Isaac Balie, Mxolisi Patrick Holo Mtshamba, and legendary photographer Fanie Jason. As the annual awards ceremony concluded, it reaffirmed Western Cape's commitment to nurturing its rich cultural ecosystem and supporting the individuals whose creative work continues to inspire and unite communities across the province.