SHARPEVILLE. – Receiving an award as a recognition of your great work is not a measly feat.
Receiving it from the hands of the legendary film maker, producer, actor, and storyteller, Dr John Kani is an honour.
Arts activist and Emfuleni Local Municipality (ELM) Senior Personnel in the Arts and Culture Department, Smakaleng ‘Smax’ Moeketsi recently received an award from the Vaal University of Technology (VUT) in recognition of her work and involvement in the arts and culture space, particularly, locally.
Born in the Vaal, Moeketsi’s love for the arts started in the township of Sharpeville where she was mentored by well-known actor, director and artist Iga-Makhulu Diniso where she focused on stage and dance. In the 90’s she went on to study at the then Pretoria Technikon, now known as Tshwane University of Technology (TUT), where she majored in Drama.
She further went to Pretoria University (Tukkies) and specialised in Afrikaans.
Following this, she went on to feature in local tv series’ such as Sewende Laan and Binne Landers.
During the recent Emfuleni Local Municipality (ELM) State of the Municipality (SoMA) address Moeketsi received a special mention from the Executive Mayor, Sipho Radebe for her; “wonderful work and dedication to the local arts”.
Moeketsi started working at the ELM in 2008, in the Arts and Culture Department where she is now a Senior Personnel, Admin Officer.
“We are making sure that we support the local community involved in the arts and culture. We are also engaging with different stakeholder to make such as the Vaal University of Technology (VUT) to make sure that we have studies (courses) that are offered locally in the arts and culture fields,” Moeketsi said.
Moeketsi is grateful for the award and promises, together with her team, to continue with the great work of putting the Vaal on the map through arts and culture.
