Three students of the West Coast College in Vredenburg have been nominated for the Inaugural South African National Artisan Awards (Sanaa).
Alex Monk, Busisiwe Mazantsana and Henlee McCarthy will be at the awards with the bold and transformative theme of “Changing Artisanal Identity and Status”.
According to Ivan Swart, spokesperson for the College, this ground-breaking event marks the beginning of a new era in recognising and celebrating South Africa’s artisans whose skills and craftsmanship are vital to the nation’s economic and cultural fabric.
The first-ever Sanaa ceremony takes place this Saturday, 6 September, at the prestigious Birchwood Hotel, Johannesburg. The event will bring together artisans, educators, policymakers, and industry leaders to honour the individuals shaping South Africa’s artisanal future.
The Sanaa’s clear mission is to recognise and celebrate the contributions of artisans in high-demand trades across South Africa.
“The vision is to build a quality, responsive artisanal workforce that meets the evolving needs of the economy while preserving the rich traditions of craftsmanship,” Swart said.
Samuel Zungu, Deputy Director-General of the Department of Higher Education and Training, said artisans are the backbone of the economy. “Through the awards, we are not only celebra-
ting their skill, we are rewriting the narrative of what it means to be a tradesperson in SA.”
