Artisan Awards Celebrates 14 Exceptional Talents for their Skills
Reading Time: 2 minutesThe South African National Artisan Awards took place in Kempton Park, Gauteng on 5 September. Read more about what they are being honoured for.
Artisans from across South Africa gathered to cheer each other on at this year's event in Kempton Park. Photo: Supplied
Artisan awards ceremony drew a large crowd in Kempton Park, Gauteng on Saturday
The prestigious South African National Artisan Awards (SANAA) celebrated the achievements of the country’s top technical talents with 14 overall winners on Saturday, 5 September.
The awards highlighted the achievements of emerging artisans for their craftsmanship while spotlighting the important role of their trades in addressing South Africa’s skills challenges, including youth unemployment and economic development.
Attracting new talent with artisan awards
The artisan awards ceremony also reignited the need for inclusivity in the Technical and Vocational Education and Training (TVET) sector, which can equip young people with skills for the future. Held under the theme: “Changing Artisanal Identity and Status,” the annual awarding ceremony recognizes the country’s top artisan talent and highlights the critical role that vocational education and skilled trades play in building South Africa’s economy.
Employers to play significant role
The Minister of Higher Education and Training, Mr. Buti Manamela, emphasized that the awards follow the recent TVET Month celebrations which provided a fitting continuation of the country’s commitment to structured workplace training and the development of a skilled workforce. Manamela made an earnest appeal to organizations that employ artisans to play a more active role in developing South Africa’s artisan pipeline.
Stop standing on the sidelines
Manamela said: “Employers cannot remain on the sidelines. They must absorb capable graduates and become active partners in shaping the workforce of tomorrow.” He further challenged TVET colleges to take greater ownership of workplace training by creating opportunities for practical learning within their own institutions and ensuring that students are equipped with the skills and experience required by industry.
Artisan awards nominations
This year’s winners were recognized for their performance across a range of artisan trades, as well as the contribution their skills can make to society and the economy. Manamela also congratulated the winners for their dedication, perseverance and excellence, describing them as a powerful demonstration of what vocational education can achieve when young people are allowed to develop and apply their skills.
He concluded by calling on artisans to view their skills as “more than a means of earning a living” . . . encouraging them to become active contributors to national development. Artisans, he said, have an important role to play in building communities, strengthening industries and driving economic transformation through the knowledge and craftsmanship they bring to the economy.
What is the SANAA?
The South African National Artisan Awards (SANAA) is a premier national programme that celebrates exceptional trade professionals, technical innovation and skills development across sectors including engineering, automotive, construction, electrical, plumbing and mechanical trades. The programme recognizes artisans and TVET graduates who demonstrate outstanding achievement and contribute to advancing South Africa’s skills development agenda.
