Minister Marais launches 2016/17 Cultural Affairs Award categories | Western Cape Government

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Minister Marais launches 2016/17 Cultural Affairs Award categories

27 October 2016

On 27 October 2016 the Western Cape Minister of Cultural Affairs and Sport Anroux Marais launched the 2016/17 Cultural Affairs Award categories at the Baxter Theatre Centre and encouraged the people of the Western Cape to participate in the nomination process.

Minister Marais addressed the audience and said: “At a time when we are faced with a climate of protests, cultural differences and negative news, the celebration of cultural achievements should become a supporting tool for mutual understanding of and respect for unique backgrounds. Tolerance should be ‘the golden line’ in unifying us. It is for this reason that we are excited about the 2016/17 theme, Embrace Cultural Inclusivity. The build-up to this significant award ceremony and the event itself will equip nominees, guests, stakeholders and social media followers with a sense of pride in their historic, traditional and linguistic heritage.”

Two of the previous Awards winners expressed their gratitude to DCAS for recognising their valuable contributions. Tamie Mbongo Thamsanqa, who is key to the success of the Zabalaza Festival, stressed the value of mentoring aspiring youth at the DCAS Drama Development workshops and Ria Olivier, an activist for language rights who also serves on the Western Cape Language Committee, expressed her passion for equal language rights.

The Call for nominations and Nomination forms are available on www.westerncape.gov.za/cas and the closing date for nominations is 25 November 2016.

DCAS offers the people of the Western Cape the opportunity to discover and acknowledge talent in their diverse cultural landscapes. Nominees should have a talent for bridging diversity. Let’s nurture tolerance so that we understand and respect our differences and embrace cultural inclusivity. BETTER TOGETHER.

Media Enquiries: 
Tania Colyn

Head of Communication Service
Department of Cultural Affairs and Sport
Tel: 021 483 9877
E-mail: Tania.Colyn@westerncape.gov.za