Our country’s cultural future lies not merely in the richness of artistic talent, but in the spirit and passion of our people. Art, voice, rhythm, talent, colour, heritage, harmony: our culture surrounds us, extravagantly, seeping into our souls — the very essence that makes us uniquely African.
But we should not limit our experience of art and culture to our urban lifestyles: what we hear, see and absorb in our everyday surrounds has its roots far away from city smog. And these very traditional forms of art — be they rites of passage, articulation of emotion, pure entertainment — are the foundations of our marbled culture.
Our culture is not all loud, and bright, and vibrant: the soul of arts and culture is often distilled through quiet contemplation, pain, joy. We must respect and preserve these traditional expressions of our past as much as we push the boundaries in exploring the future.
This year the Arts & Culture Trust (ACT) Awards, in association with Nedbank and the Mail & Guardian, have honoured our ancient roots by recognising the late NoFinish Dywili, a traditional bowsinger from the Eastern Cape.
The music of her group encompasses extraordinary depth: gentle bow patterns, soft overtones, astonishing musical scale, rich harmonies and a unique, highly developed form of overtone singing. Generations of history that are expressed in one resonant, dignified tapestry of sound. Nedbank acknowledges the significance of appreciating fully our past while reaching for the future, and along with our Nedbank Arts clients, is committed to advancing arts and culture at all levels.
Together with the ACT, of which we are the initiator and a founder member, we strive to enrich cultural life by promoting mutual respect.
Nedbank donates money to the ACTrust on behalf of its Nedbank Arts clients, when they use their Nedbank Arts bank accounts. In this way, Nedbank clients can support the development of the arts in South Africa.
The ACT Awards embrace those who move beyond the obvious, always seeking insight and understanding, approaching life differently; making our arts, culture and heritage come alive and fulfil its potential. Nedbank applauds all winners and finalists! — Nedbank