SA: ACT announces 2020 Building Blocks Programme recipients

The organisation in October made an open call to arts and culture practitioners in South Africa to apply for its Building Blocks Programme, which seeks to empower successful applicants and bolster their professional and business acumen with an arts-specific framework. More than 200 applications competed for a spot on the programme, which will be held virtually in January 2021.

As a means to support and bolster the entrepreneurial spirit and resilience of small (microbusiness) to mid-level organisations and arts practitioners, the updated ACT Building Blocks curriculum will cover digital skills, marketing, governance and monitoring & evaluation, asset-based community development in the arts.

“During these very trying and worrisome times of the COVID-19 pandemic, it is heartwarming to see the number of organisations and artists in our country showing interest in the further enhancement of their skills as administrators and project managers,” ACT CEO Marcus Desando said. “We as the ACT are looking forward to welcoming these latest additions to the ACT family through this programme and hope that they will be part of a renewed hope for our sector.”

According to the ACT, the selection process for the 2021 cohort changed from previous years to assure an equal reach in all the nine provinces. The selection committee selected five artists/organisations from each province.

 The 45 recipients are as follows:

 Gauteng

• Thabang Rampai
• Mfanelo Dzanibe
• Mogomotsi Simon Maphutha
• Deborah Weber
• Modisana Mabale

 KwaZulu-Natal

• Nosipho Mkhize
• Njabulo Mashinini
• Khulekani Mlangeni
• Azuri Muhuli
• Mandisi Heshu]

 Free State

• Lebohang Lekoala
• Lawrence Mongalo
• Mosiuoa Ernest
• Moeketsi Ntsala
• Mamorena Leeuw

 Limpopo

• Mapula Modiba
• Freddy Moketla
• Kagiso Kekana
• Promise Nyalungu
• Reshoketswe Daphney Teffo

Eastern Cape

• Marshall Geswint
• Sivu Giba
• Antonia Ayabulela Gidi
• Cebo Mzanywa
• Thandeka Vabaza

 Western Cape

• Kim Blanche Adonis
• Celeste Loriston
• Khumbulani Gobingca
• Mpho Mashego
• Stuart Palmer

 Northern Cape

• Alfred Charles Hinkel
• Rodrick Kuthula Mavundla
• Mosimane Moses Jacobs
• Mogale Sedibe
• Katlego Nche

 North West

• Boitumelo Makousu
• Pule Joseph Tsholofelo
• Vuyisile Bentile
• Odirile Majatladi
• Tshepiso Khumalo

 Mpumalanga

• Nokana Nokana
• Nompumuzo Ndlovu
• Jabulani Nkosi
• Mxolisi Shabalala
• Lucky Maseko