Business and Arts South Africa (BASA) acknowledges Drama for Life
- Wits University
Drama for Life’s strategic partners nominated for the 20th annual Business and Arts South Africa Awards.
On 24 August 2017, Business and Arts South Africa (BASA) shortlisted Drama for Life’s ( DFL) strategic partners for two prestigious BASA awards.
Anglo American South Africa was nominated for the Innovation Award for funding Drama for Life’s Unravelling HIV/AIDS Through Real Stories Project, while Rand Merchant Bank was nominated for the Development Award in recognition of its support for Drama for Life Mvuso Schools and Community Education Project. The nomination of Anglo American South Africa and Rand Merchant Bank does not only celebrate the role of these corporates in the arts but it acknowledges the innovative and development work produced by Drama for Life.
The Innovation Award recognises the most innovative and progressive partnership in all mediums of creativity. The Unravelling HIV/AIDS Through Real Stories Project highlighted DFL’s creativity and originality through the use of performance ethnography and drama therapy approach in various Anglo American mining communities engaging various aspects of HIV/Aids. “Anglo American’s partnership with DFL brought to fruition the meaningful Unravelling HIV/AIDS Through Real Stories project” says BASA.
The Development Award is awarded to projects with an implicit educational and development element. The DFL Mvuso Schools and Community Education Project was nominated in this category for the role it plays in bringing together a group of practicing artists mainly from communities and school educators from selected secondary schools to receive a one-week intensive short course training in Applied Theatre and Drama methodologies with Drama for Life, Wits University.
Talking about the nominees, media specialist and radio DJ Kojo Baffoe said: “Each finalist is involved in a project that not only means something but is also changing lives in a real and tangible way. The projects were not simply to win awards but to make a meaningful impact, which they do.”
“Drama for Life is delighted by this recognition from Business and Arts South Africa. These nominations serve as a motivation and a reminder that we all have an important role to play in advocating for the arts in communities and business in South Africa and beyond,”says Warren Nebe, Director of DFL.