The finalists for the 26th Annual Business and Arts South Africa (Basa) Awards have been announced, honouring transformative partnerships between business and the arts.

---

Also read: Cape Town’s Singita shines at The World’s 50 Best Hotels 2023 awards

---

The Basa Awards pay tribute to the culture, diversity, and shared values of South Africa while also highlighting the crucial role of private-public partnerships in advancing artistic expression and addressing pressing social and economic challenges.

‘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,’ says Basa CEO Ashraf Jacobs-Johaardien. ‘As we celebrate this year’s finalists, we are also thrilled to welcome new partners on board for the Basa Awards itself.’

‘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.’

Looking for a deal on a car, but tight on a budget? Have a look at these offers for under R100 000. View the deals here.

The live awards ceremony will take place at the Zeitz MOCAA in Cape Town in October. Basa’s marketing manager, Sinenhlanhla Mdiya, says the finalists demonstrate successful business and arts partnerships that could ‘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.’

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
• Celebrating Long-Term Commitment: 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

On 13 October, two special awards will be announced in a hybrid ceremony which will be streamed live from the Zeitz MOCAA. For more information, visit basa.co.za.

Cape {town} Etc discount: Appreciate the beauty of Cape Town with a 60-minute cruise for R155 (valued at R310). Get it here.

Also read:

Cape Town bags top spots at first Bar and Beverage Awards

Picture: Charles Deluvio / Unsplash