26th BASA Awards Finalists Announced
Now in its 26th year, the annual BASA Awards are a testament to the power of forging connections between the seemingly disparate domains of business and the arts. For the first time since Covid-19, a live announcement of the 48 finalists (24 partnerships) for this year’s prestigious awards took place at the Living Room in Maboneng ahead of the final award-winners event which will take place at the Zeitz Museum of Contemporary African Art (MOCAA) in Cape Town in October 2023.
The BASA Awards recognise mutually beneficial arts and business partnerships across multiple categories, showcasing the powerful impact business can have when engaging creativity to deliver a message, a project or an idea. An intimate audience comprising of entrants, honorees and the following new Awards partners were in attendance at the Finalists Announcement luncheon: The Industrial Development Corporation (IDC), Heineken Beverages, British Council South Africa, Sunglasses Hut, Radisson Red, TWYG and Zeitz MOCAA.
“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,” said BASA CEO, Ashraf Jacobs-Johaardien.
“The threads that weave together successful partnerships are both complex and intricate, but the 320 plus winning business and arts partnerships recognised by the BASA Awards to date demonstrate that the successful fusion of creativity and strategy can yield extraordinary outcomes,” he added.
“The choice of the Living Room as our event venue, especially at the breaking of spring, is in keeping with the BASA Awards tradition of showcasing the beautiful urban spaces and places in and around Johannesburg. This year we are thrilled to extend that footprint by throwing forward to our first live Awards ceremony in Cape Town, to be held at the exemplary Zeitz MOCCA,” said BASA Marketing Manager, Sinenhlanhla Mdiya.
“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.”
According to Chairperson of the Awards adjudication panel, Khanyi Mamba, “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.”
The finalists of the 26th Annual BASA Awards 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
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
Two special Awards will be announced in a hybrid ceremony to be streamed live from Zeitz MOCAA on 13 October 2023. For more information go to https://basa.co.za/
