The awards, presented annually to recognise women in art, are an initiative by Carol Bouwer Productions and the Department of Arts and Culture. "Mbokodo aims to acknowledge the immense contribution that women, especially those working in art and culture, have made to rebuild a cohesive society in South Africa. For the task of transforming a wounded and divided nation falls not only to government and legislatures, but to those who give the deepest expression to our hopes, fears and ideals," said Bouwer.
The awards celebrate women in 18 different categories, including women in music, indigenous art, creative photography and poetry.
Nominees from different parts of the country are judged using a peer review mechanism. According to Bouwer the peer review judging method was chosen over public nomination processes to focus on quality of work by drawing on the opinion of diverse experts in the arts, culture and heritage sector.
• Women in Indigenous Art
• Promotion of Language and Storytelling
• Creative Writing
• Poetry
• Fashion Design and Innovation
• Creative Photography
• Sculpture
• Dance
• Painting
• Opera
• Theatre
• Women in Jazz
• Music
• Promotion of Arts in the Media
• Arts Ambassador
• Architecture
• Creative Design
• Women in Film
• Comedy
• Mirriam Makeba Achievement Award
