Emerging artists from across Ekurhuleni stole the show at this year’s Thami Mnyele Fine Arts Awards competition, taking a bigger slice of the total R160 000 prize money.
With more than 300 artworks submitted for this year’s competition, Mpho Makhubo from Tsakane came out tops, pocketing the first prize of R60 000 for his work titled “Road Signs”, done using pastel and acrylic on paper.
Sandile Nzuza, from Daveyton, bagged the prestigious Ekurhuleni Prize for the work “Untitled 2/2”.
The Lizamore and Associates Mentorship Programme Winner award went to Alex Msibi, from Germiston, for the artwork titled “Desiccated state of tranquility”, compiled using oil and canvas.
An elated Makhubo expressed his excitement and gratitude upon being announced as the winner.
“I am very grateful for this recognition afforded to me by the City of Ekurhuleni, with this prize money I will be able to purchase proper art material and continue to upskill myself and young upcoming artists from my township,” he said.
Ekurhuleni’s Member of the Mayoral Committee (MMC) for Sports, Recreation, Arts and Culture, Clr Dora Mlambo, commended the artists for rising to the challenge and raising the bar for this year’s competition.
“As the City of Ekurhuleni we thrive on these awards to put us on the map as the hub of grooming and appreciating creativity in fine arts,” she said.
“It is very pleasing to see the competition getting recognition from artists from across the country every year.
“The competition remains at the top of the city’s agenda, with the hope that this platform will open even bigger doors for artists.”
