Meet the 2020 Standard Bank Young Artists

6 Nov 2019

The 2019 Standard Bank Young Artists have been announced. The five groundbreaking artists who make this year's cut are Blessing Ngobeni (visual art), Nthato Mokgata, also known as Spoek Mathambo, (music), Lulu Mlangeni (dance), Jefferson Tshabalala (theatre), and Sisonke Xonti (jazz).

Since its inception in 1981, the Standard Bank Young Artist Awards (SBYAA) have served as a marker for the artistic work that’s being created and aspired towards, across the country. This year’s batch of winners proves that the SBYAA still seek to reward passion, dedication and a desire to carve out new ways of creating and engaging with art and the world around us.

In addition to receiving a cash incentive, this year’s winners also receive a commission to premiere a new work or exhibit on the main programme of the 46th National Arts Festival, taking place in Makhanda (formerly Grahamstown) from 25 June to 5 July 2020.

Meet the 2020 Standard Bank Young Artists

Nthato Mokgata aka Spoek Mathambo is a musician, artist, producer, rapper, and singer-songwriter. Through his solo career and projects such as Batuk and Fantasma, he has toured the globe extensively. He is also the director of Future Sounds of Mzansi – a documentary exploring South Africa's cultural landscape, 20 years into democracy.

Blessing Ngobeni is a fine artist who strives to simultaneously uplift others while challenging the status quo through his art. Using painting, sculpture, video, audio installations and live performance, Ngobeni speaks truth to power, continually highlighting and questioning corrupted systems of power in South Africa. Ngobeni also mentors and provides support for young artists.

Sisonke Xonti is a jazz saxophonist, composer and bandleader. A passionate collaborator, Xonti has worked with and performed alongside, artists such as Hugh Masekela, Lira, Bokani Dyer and Simphiwe Dana to name a few. His full-length album, Iyonde, was released in 2017.

Lulu Prudence Mlangeni is a dancer, teacher and choreographer. Mlangeni’s practice incorporates a strong element of texture to the art of movement and has seen her perform on stages across the world. Her recent dance piece, Confined, is inspired by the political stalwart Winnie Madikizela Mandela.

Jefferson Tshabalala is a writer, director, performer and the founder and owner of the live arts production house, Kiri Pink Nob Arts. Tshabalala merges poetry, hip-hop, comedy and traditional dramatic arts to communicate nuanced and far-reaching stories. His recent work Ekasi Lam – An Ode to Kwaito premiered at the 2019 National Arts Festival.

Artistic wings

Associate producer of the National Arts Festival, Nobesuthu Rayi, explains that in addition to the high calibre of production, each young artist speaks to the status quo of the industry through their work.

“I have noticed with interest that all these artists are aware of the status quo of our arts industry in SA and they have strong opinions on the matter. To all the 2020 SBYAs, gqamani njengeenkwenkwezi enizizo. Shine like the stars you are,” says Rayi.

Art is an expression of who you are. These talented artists have put in the work and sacrifice to show their true works of heart. Make way for the new #SBYA2020 winners, @JBobsTshabalala, @SisonkeXonti, Lulu Mlangeni, @BlessingNgobeni and Nthato Mokgata @SPOEK_MATHAMBO. pic.twitter.com/QeG6Vmq7RP
— Standard Bank Arts (@StandardBankArt) November 5, 2019

Chairperson of the festival artistic committee, Brett Bailey, adds that awards like this give public validation to artists, providing them with the opportunity and confidence to spread their artistic wings.

“They give a highly visible platform to the winners to showcase their work and to lift them from their crowded field and provide the funding to generate something new,” says Bailey.

Photography by Reinhardt Nel