Western Cape celebrates its diverse culture at annual Cultural Affairs Awards

Entertainment by groups such as Die Nuwe Graskoue Trappers and the Little Giants Youth Group, singing, dancing, a rich cultural diversity showing through outfits and attitudes and an overall great atmosphere ensured the success of the momentus annual Cultural Affairs Awards Ceremony.

The event, organised by officials of the Western Cape Department of Cultural Affairs and Sport (DCAS), took place on Wednesday 3 February 2016 at the Rhebokskloof Wine Estate in Paarl.

DCAS Head of Department, Brent Walters, welcomed all guests, nominees and winners in attendance. He stressed the fact that the awards (divided into 29 different categories) acknowledged the efforts of all individuals and institutions that have made a significant contribution to the development and promotion of the arts, culture, museums, language, heritage, libraries and archive services to the people of the Western Cape.

During the course of the evening, tribute was paid to the DCAS Chief Director of Cultural Affairs, Hannetjie du Preez, who will be retiring at the end of March after decades of service to the Western Cape Government.

DCAS Minister, Anroux Marais, congratulated all winners and nominees on the evening, and said: “These awards offer an opportunity to acknowledge the diversity of the cultural landscape with great pride. Celebrate our colourful Western Cape Province with us tonight. Feel and be proud of our historical, cultural and linguistic heritage. I believe our beauty lies in our diversity. The things we have in common are more than those things that set us apart, and the sooner we all realise this, the better. We need to get to a point where we understand and tolerate each other regardless of our differences. We need to get to a point where we celebrate our diversity and work together towards a socially inclusive nation.”

Let us continue to celebrate our cultural diversity and continue to grow with one another, BETTER TOGETHER.