BASA honours three recipients with special awards

The special awards are made annually at the discretion of the BASA board of directors to celebrate remarkable contributions by individuals, organisations and businesses. The awards come a week after BASA announced the finalists for its 2019 awards in Johannesburg on 13 October.

The BASA Chairperson’s Premier Award was awarded to Eoan Group director Shafiek Rajap. The accolade recognises individuals who have sustained and shown extraordinary commitment to the arts in South Africa.

The Diplomacy in the Arts Award went to the European Union in South Africa. The award, presented by creative producer Grace Meadows, recognises foreign missions that contribute to the development and preservation of the arts in South Africa, as well as the continued prioritisation of cultural diplomacy between South Africa and the international community.

Lastly, Linda Givon received the Art Champion Award for her outstanding achievement in the encouragement of business support for the arts. The award was presented by BASA deputy chairperson Mandie van der Spuy.

“The annual BASA Awards are a significant barometer of the success of mutually beneficial and sustainable partnerships between business and the arts,” Mandie van der Spuy said.

BASA head of marketing Savannah Feeke said: “Partnered by Hollard, the awards recognise business support of and partnerships with the arts. It is BASA’s flagship event and assists in promoting mutually beneficial, equitable and sustainable business partnerships with the arts. The eleven awards categories encompass all creative mediums and a wide spectrum of partnerships.”

BASA said in a statement: “The Eoan Group has produced musicals, choir festivals, ballets, and drama since the 1930s, and started with opera in the 1950s, continuing to perform canonical opera works through to the late 1970s. After legislated racial segregation was lifted, the company continued to function as a ballet and drama company in Athlone and today it serves as a performing arts school and company.

“The EU provides support to cultural diversity in developing countries. It promotes culture as making an essential contribution to human rights, key elements of good governance and inclusive and sustainable growth.”

About Linda Givon, BASA said: “During her management, many of the country’s most well-known artists all came to prominence through the Goodman Gallery, including, among others, Dumile Feni, William Kentridge, Ezrom Legae and Robert Hodgins, David Goldblatt, Kendall Geers and Penny Siopis. She promoted the work of black artists and encouraged black patrons to frequent the gallery. Many artists appreciated the way she promoted their art elsewhere in the world a time before South Africa participated in art fairs.”