26th Basa Awards finalists announced

Image supplied. Business and Arts South Africa’s (BASA) 26th Annual BASA Awards 48 finalists have been announced

Founded in 1997 the Awards, which honour transformative partnerships between business and the arts, are a collaborative endeavour between government and the private sector to cultivate innovation and mutual growth in South Africa through the arts.

This year’s live announcement of the finalists is a return to in-person engagement and for the final award ceremony, on 13 October at the Zeitz Museum of Contemporary African Art (MOCAA) in Cape Town.

Importance of PPP

The Awards highlight the importance of private-public partnerships (PPP), not only in advancing artistic expression but also in addressing pressing social and economic challenges.

By recognising and celebrating these outstanding initiatives, Basa encourages more businesses and government entities to embrace the power of collaboration, emphasising that together, we can unlock South Africa's vast creative potential while simultaneously driving meaningful change in our communities and beyond.

Partnerships are like DNA

New collaborators include the Industrial Development Corporation (IDC), Heineken Beverages, British Council South Africa, Sunglasses Hut, Radisson Red, TWYG, and Zeitz MOCAA.

Basa CEO Ashraf Jacobs-Johaardien emphasises the pivotal role of partnerships, remarking, "There is a unique power that comes from deep collaboration between the right partners. Partnerships are like DNA – they carry the code of shared values, mutual goals, and the potential to create something remarkable. As we celebrate this year’s finalists, we are also thrilled to welcome new partners on board for the Basa Awards itself."

The heart of the Awards lies in results born from the intricate interplay of creativity and strategy. As Jacobs-Johaardien points out, "The threads that weave together successful partnerships are both complex and intricate, but the 320 plus winning business and arts partnerships recognised by the Awards to date demonstrate that the successful fusion of creativity and strategy can yield extraordinary outcomes."

26th Annual Basa Awards finalists

The finalists are:

IDC Community Development Award

• ATKV & Klein Karoo National Arts Festival (KKNK) for Karoo Kaarte
  
• Eyesizwe Mining Development Trust & Market Theatre Foundation for Ditshomo Mentorship Programme
  
• National Afrikaans Theatre Initiative (NATI) & Suidoosterfees for NATi Jong Sterre / NATi Rising Stars

First-Time Sponsorship Award supported by Radisson Red

• ANNA Pure Organic & Latitudes Online for The ANNA Award
  
• Blue Ribbon & Baz-Art for Share your Kasi’Pride Campaign with Blue Ribbon
  
• The Automobile Association of South Africa NPC & ARIVA Arts Organisation for RISE project

Heineken Beverages SMME Award

• Avalon Cinema Group: Suncoast CineCentre & Centre for Creative Arts - University of KwaZulu-Natal for Durban International Film Festival
  
• chiesa di PAZZO LUPi & Barrydale Jazz & Brass Festival NPC for Dark Arts Curfew Club
  
• Pioneer Freight & Hermanus FynArts for Art Guide Training Programme

Sunglass Hut Sponsorship In-Kind Award

• Avalon Cinema Group: Suncoast CineCentre & Centre for Creative Arts-University of KwaZulu-Natal for Durban International Film Festival
  
• UpstART Galleries & META Foundation for Art Feeds
  
• The Standard Bank of South Africa Limited & Blessing Ngobeni for Priceless Print

Innovation Award

• Blue Ribbon & Baz-Art for Share your Kasi’Pride campaign with Blue Ribbon
  
• E-Squared Investments & Sunshine Cinema for Spark Impact Program
  
• Standard Bank of South Africa Limited & Bee Diamondhead for We Are Culture

IDC CSI Award

• Chickenland (Pty) Ltd t/a Nando’s & Meta Foundation for OpenStudios X Nando's
  
• The Sanlam Foundation Trust & Zip Zap Circus School Trust for Zappers Programme
  
• TotalEnergies Marketing South Africa (Pty) Ltd & Sibikwa Community Project NPC (T/A Sibikwa Arts Centre) for The Sibikwa Arts Academy and Sibikwa's Inclusive Development, Education and Advocacy (IDEA) Programme

British Council Beyond Borders Award

• Africa Contemporary Art / Just Art International & Reframe House for Spiral of Containment
  
• E-Squared Investments & Sunshine Cinema for Spark Impact Program
  
• Ideon Inc. & National Children's Theatre (NCT) for Rebranding NCT

Celebrating Long-Term Commitment: Heineken Beverages Long-Term Partnership Award

• ATKV & Klein Karoo National Arts Festival (KKNK) for Karoo Kaarte
  
• Eyesizwe Mining Development Trust & Market Theatre Foundation for Ditshomo Mentorship Programme
  
• Spier Wine Farm & Third World Bunfight for Third World Bunfight

Sinenhlanhla Mdiya, Basa marketing manager says, "The finalists we announced today demonstrate that successful business and arts partnerships have the power to regenerate communities and inspire creativity. These symbiotic partnerships also have the potential to address some of the most pressing challenges facing our country, such as poverty and inequality, while amplifying the creativity and innovation in our midst."

Khanyi Mamba, chairperson of the Awards adjudication panel, applauded the dedication of the finalists, saying, "Every submission we received represents a unique journey, a labour of love, and a bold step towards pushing boundaries and creating something extraordinary. So, to all the finalists, I want to convey my heartfelt congratulations. Your work has captured the attention of our discerning judges, and you have earned your place among the best of the best."