And the 2020 Standard Bank Young Artists are – Jefferson Tshabalala (theatre), Lulu Prudence Mlangeni (dance), Sisonke Xonti (jazz), Nthato Mokgata (music, pictured left) and Blessing Ngobeni (visual art).
The National Arts Festival established the Young Artist Awards in 1981 to acknowledge emerging young South African artists who demonstrate an outstanding artistic talent. This year marks 36 years of Standard Bank’s sponsorship of the awards, with more than 150 alumni who have gone on to make their mark in South Africa and abroad.
The latest group of winners show without doubt that the markers of this prestigious award are ones of passion, dedication – and, especially, the desire to carve out new ways of creating and engaging with art and the world around us.
2020 Standard Bank Young Artists
Jefferson Tshabalala is a writer, director, performer, and the founder and owner of the live arts production house Kiri Pink Nob Arts (Pty) Ltd. Tshabalala merges poetry, hip-hop, comedy, and traditional dramatic arts to communicate nuanced and far-reaching stories. His recent work Ekasi Lam – An Ode to Kwaito premiered at the 2019 National Arts Festival.
Nthato Mokgata (also known by his stage name Spoek Mathambo) is a musician, artist, producer, rapper, and singer-songwriter. Through his solo career and projects such as Batuk and Fantasma, Mokgata has toured the globe extensively. He is also the director of Future Sounds of Mzansi, a documentary exploring South Africa’s cultural landscape 20 years into democracy.
Blessing Ngobeni is a fine artist who strives to simultaneously uplift others, while challenging the status quo through his art. Through the use of painting, sculpture, video, audio installations and live performance Ngobeni speaks truth to power, continually highlighting and questioning corrupted systems of power in South Africa. Ngobeni also mentors and provides support for young artists.
Lulu Prudence Mlangeni is a dancer, teacher, and choreographer. Mlangeni’s practice incorporates a strong element of texture to the art of movement and has seen her perform on stages across the world. Her recent dance piece CONFINED is inspired by South African political stalwart Winnie Madikizela Mandela.
Sisonke Xonti is a jazz saxophonist, composer, and bandleader. A passionate collaborator, Xonti has worked with, and performed alongside artists such as Hugh Masekela, Lira, Bokani Dyer, and Simphiwe Dana to name a few. His full-length album Iyonde was released in 2017.
WS
