UKZN Centre for Creative Arts Director to Receive Prestigious Award

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Dr Ismail Mahomed, Director of the Centre of Creative Arts, will be honoured at this year’s 14^th kykNET Fiësta Awards ceremony for his outstanding contributions to the arts in South Africa.

Mahomed will receive the Lifetime Achievement Award together with actor Tobie Cronjé.

The Fiëstas honour exceptional work presented at the country’s six biggest Afrikaans arts festivals - Innibos, KKNK, Momentum Investments Aardklop, Suidoosterfees, Toyota SU Woordfees and Vrystaat Kunstefees.

A theatre icon and playwright, his work has been performed and applauded by global audiences and he has developed a great reputation as one of the country’s best administrators in arts and culture.

Mahomed has served as the director of the Creative Arts Workshop - which he founded in Lenasia in 1987 - artistic director of the National Arts Festival in Grahamstown (now Makhanda), and CEO of the Market Theatre Foundation. He also serves on several boards including the KKNK and Aardklop.

‘During the past 40 years in the arts, I have had the wonderful opportunity to work with artists across the broad spectrum of South Africa’s cultural diversity,’ he said. ‘I see every day how the arts play a crucial role in nation-building. We are blessed as a country with so many stories and artists who have the incredible power to tell these stories through creativity and excellence. They are my inspiration.’

He found his life’s passion in arts festivals and currently oversees six of them at UKZN’s Centre for Creative Arts. ‘Working with festivals puts me in the midst of innovation, creativity, experimentation and leadership.’

Mahomed has received several honours for his contributions to the arts including a Paul Harris Award (Rotary International’s highest honour), a Standard Bank Ovation Award and a Chevalier le Ordre Nationale du Mérite [National Order of Merit] from the French government.

He said it was very special for him to now also receive this Fiësta award. ‘I accept it with humility and feel honoured to join the list of South African artists who have inspired me, given me hope and helped shape my passion for the arts. I accept it with deep gratitude for the artists, partners and funders who played such a crucial role in my career.

‘It recognises the work I have done for the promotion of artists working in Afrikaans and my contribution to the boards of the KKNK and Aardklop. This Fiësta Award on my shelf will constantly remind me that my professional career in the arts began when I wrote plays in Afrikaans,’ he said.

Deputy Vice-Chancellor and Head of the College of Humanities, Professor Nhlanhla Mkhize, extended his congratulations, emphasising: ‘Dr Mahomed’s unwavering commitment to promoting diversity and nurturing excellence in the arts continues to shape our nation’s cultural landscape. This honour serves as a testament to his humility and underscores the enduring impact he continues to have on the arts community.’

The Fiësta Awards ceremony takes place on Thursday, 7 March, at the V&A Waterfront in Cape Town.

Words: NdabaOnline

Photograph: Supplied