This evening (November 17), the 20th annual Arts &
Culture Trust (ACT) Awards, ACT will introduce the four ImpACT Award finalists.
Traditionally, ACT awards the ImpACT Award to South African
creatives under 30 years of age who have made a notable impact to their
respective industry. Nominations are collected from the general public and the
finalists are selected by The ACT board of trustees.
By holding an event that not only honours Lifetime
contributions to the arts and culture industry but also acknowledges the
careers of young creatives – ACT continues to inspire and promote the arts in
South Africa. “We at the Arts and Culture Trust feel that it is important to
recognise the achievements of young creatives and their potential to uplift the
industry” says ACT Awards Project Manager Jessica Glendinning.
The 2017 finalists for the ImpACT award are:
Thabiso Mofokeng
(Literature)
Thabiso is a self-made Sesotho language practitioner and
founder of Mosa Media and Book distributors. He is best known for his promotion
of young writers, literacy and African language publications. He is currently
studying towards a PhD in English at the University of the Western Cape, is the
2016/2017 Dinaane Debut Fiction Award Finalist and was named as a Mail &
Guardian Top 200 Young South Africans in 2017.
Elvis Sibeko (Dance)
Elvis is a professional dancer who has studied at Jazzart
and Tribhangi Dance Theatre where he has mastered Contemporary Classical,
Ballet, Tap Dance, Indian Dance, Choreography and Theatre Craft. He has been
nominated for the FNB Vita Dance Umbrella’s most promising dancer, awarded a
bursary at Jazzart and has choreographed many local and international dance
festivals and Umbrellas. He runs a community development dance programme and is
co-founder of an NPO organisation called Black Roots Foundation.
Sello Ramosepele
(Arts Administration)
Sello works in the arts, public relations and digital media
/ marketing sphere where he uses his skills to collaborate with well-known
South African brands and create platforms for disadvantaged young people to
showcase their talents. One such example was the 2016 Inaugural South African
Music Marathon. Sello is also a commited arts administration mentor and has
mentored more than 20 young professionals. He has worked alongside The National
Arts Council and other arts organisations.
Byron Klaasen (Dance)
Bryon is a dance practitioner who has trained extensively in
the Northern and Western Cape. In 2011 he was invited to New York to train with
the Cedar Lake Dance Company and Peridance Contemporary Company. Upon returning
to South Africa he created the production Dansmettieduiwels
for The Dance Umbrella and participated in the Dance Umbrella Young
Choreographers Residency. Since then, he
has choreographed over ten productions for local and national festivals and
regularly works alongside Alfred Hinkel to promote dance through creative
teaching methodologies.
This year ACT celebrates its 20th anniversary of the Awards
by ‘celebrating South African Legends’. Guests will be treated to an evening of
glitz, glamour and inspiring stories by the cream of South African arts and
culture crop. The Awards evening will be hosted at The Maslow Hotel in Sandton tonight
(November 17 2017) and features the ImpACT award announcement alongside the
interviews with the Lifetime Achievement Winners and entertainment by Lira.
For more information about the Arts & Culture Trust
(ACT) visit www.act.org.za and use the hashtag #ACT20AWARDS across all social
media channels.
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