MIDDELBURG – Nkangala District Executive Mayor Thomas Ngwenya has appealed to the Department of Culture, Sport and Recreation and the business community to adopt and support the Nkangala Arts and Music Awards (NkAMA).
Ngwenya made the appeal during his address at the NkAMA Gala Dinner held at the Sydney Choma Banquet Hall in Middelburg on Friday evening, 11 September.
The event was attended by executive mayors, councillors, business leaders, arts, sports and culture representatives, Living Legends, artists, cultural practitioners, sports personalities, tournament champions and families of posthumous honourees.
Ngwenya called on the provincial department to enter into a formal partnership with NkAMA.
“We appeal to the Department of Culture, Sport and Recreation, within its mandate and budget processes, to consider a structured, annual partnership that supports the growth of NkAMA,” he said.
“MEC, as a daughter of Nkangala, your department's leadership is central to this work. When the provincial government joins with local government, institutions and communities to develop talent, we send a powerful message that no gifted child should be excluded merely because their starting point is rural, township-based or far from established opportunity.”
Turning to the private sector, Ngwenya invited businesses to invest in the platform.
“We invite businesses to include this platform in their community investment and development plans. We call on municipalities, artists, sports bodies, media and communities to work with us in building a programme that is credible, inclusive and sustainable,” he said.
“As an African proverb puts it: ‘If you want to go fast, go alone; if you want to go far, go together.’ NkAMA must go far.”
He said business support should go beyond branding.
“I repeat the invitation made at the inception event: become Friends of NkAMA. This is not merely an opportunity to place a logo at an event. It is an opportunity to invest in the communities where your employees live, where your customers raise their families and where the next generation of innovators, performers, entrepreneurs and champions is growing,” Ngwenya said.
“You can support through funding, category sponsorships, prizes, equipment, mentorship, media reach, transport, accommodation, training and market access. Every meaningful contribution can alter the trajectory of a promising life.”
NkAMA was officially launched on 7 July this year by Highveld Chronicle in partnership with Nkangala District Municipality, representing all six local municipalities in the district.
“That partnership is at the heart of this initiative: local storytelling, local leadership and local talent working together to create a platform that belongs to all of Nkangala,” he said.
Ngwenya outlined four reasons why NkAMA deserves support: home-grown pride, mandate alignment, economic stimulation and legacy building.
“Every child and young person must be able to believe that excellence born in Nkangala can be recognised in Nkangala. Recognition is not vanity; it is affirmation. Too often, we only celebrate our people once another city, province or country has recognised them. NkAMA reverses that logic,” he said.
He added that the awards advance the public mandate of developing talent, promoting sport, arts and culture, strengthening social cohesion and widening access at grassroots level.
“Talent can create livelihoods. The creative and sporting economy needs performers and athletes, but it also needs producers, designers, sound engineers, coaches, event managers, photographers, caterers, decorators, transport providers, security personnel, printers, digital marketers and media professionals. Support for NkAMA is therefore not charity. It is investment in local enterprise, youth employment, tourism and skills.”
Ngwenya said NkAMA must become a long-term platform that discovers talent early and preserves heritage.
“From Witbank came the late Hugh Masekela, whose music reached the world without losing its South African soul. From Middelburg came Dr Esther Mahlangu, whose art has carried the visual language of our heritage to an international audience. Their journeys teach us that greatness can begin in our communities, but it must be noticed, nurtured and given room to grow.”
