2025 Western Cape Cultural Affairs Awards Winners Announced

The Artscape Theatre on 7 October hosted a crowd that spanned the spectrum of Western Cape culture. The Cultural Affairs Awards, presented by the provincial department, celebrated the creators, teachers and preservers of art, language and heritage.

It was a night that reminded us how creativity is collective. Every performance, every speech, every applause of the evening recognised the web of effort that rippled across our communities.

Loukmaan Adams took home a Ministerial Commendation for his long-standing contribution to music, while Dr Isaac Balie was honoured with a Ministerial Legacy Award for a lifetime spent safeguarding heritage.

Congratulations to the winners of the 2025 Cultural Affairs Awards, listed below.

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Meet the 2025 Western Cape Cultural Affairs Award Winners

Arts and Culture Winners

• After School Arts and Culture Coaching Excellence: Liesle Hendricks 
• Best Arts and Culture Programme Award: Advance Edukos 
• Best Researcher Contributing to Archival Heritage: Abdud-Daiyaan Petersen 
• Excellence in Audiovisual Media Award: Firstlight Studio (PTY) Ltd 
• Excellence in Performing Arts Award: Zolani Youth Choir 
• Innovative Community Arts and Culture Initiative Award: Amoyo Performing Arts Foundation 
• Literary Excellence Award: Siphokazi Jonas 
• Young & Innovative Artist Award: Lluyle Arendse 

Language Winners

• A Project that Promotes South African Sign Language or the Marginalised Indigenous Languages of the Western Cape: Jabaar Mohamed 
• Neville Alexander Award for an Outstanding Contribution towards the Promotion of Multilingualism: Suidoosterfees – ‘Met woorde soos kerse’ 
• Significant Contribution to Language Development: Quentin Williams 

Library Winners

• Public Library of the Year: Hermanus Library 
• Substantial Contribution to Community Impact through Outreach Programmes: Tesselaarsdal Library 
• Substantial Contribution to Digital Literacy Advancement: D’Almeida Library 
• Substantial Contribution to Reading and Literacy Development: Hawston Library 
• The Best Friends of the Public Library: Friends of the Central Library 

Museums, Heritage, and Geographical Names Winners

• Active Volunteer of the Year in the Museums, Heritage and Geographical Names Sector: Harry Croome 
• Best Contribution to the Protection and Conservation of a National, Provincial or Locally Protected Heritage Site: Genadendal Archival Pilot Project 
• Best Innovative Project in the Field of Museums, Heritage and Geographical Names: Blambos Museum 
• Contribution by a Conservation Body, Heritage Organisation, or Museum towards the Promotion of Local History, Heritage or Renaming of Geographical Features: Our Cape Town Heritage 
• Contribution to Research, Awareness and Public Advocacy about Name Changes of Geographical Features: Siphiwo Mavumengwana 
• Contribution to the Promotion of Social Inclusion in the Field of Museums, Heritage and Geographical Names: Togryers Museum 

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Special Commendations and Legacy Awards

• Ministerial Commendations:
  • Joline Young
  • Thandi Swartbooi
  • Nkosikho Juqu
  • Loukmaan Adams
  • Marco Olivier
• Ministerial Legacy Awards:
  • Charmain Plummer 
  • Eleanor Damon 
  • Isaac Balie 
  • Mxolisi Patrick Holo Mtshamba 
  • Fanie Jason

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