Usiba Creative and Cultural Industries Awards honours Anant Singh

Film producer, Anant Singh. Image supplied.

The Usiba Creative and Cultural Industries Awards is a partnership with the Creative and Cultural Industries Federation of South Africa (CCIFSA) and the Minister of Arts and Culture, Nathi Mthethwa. Like the National Orders of Ikamanga, Usiba is the highest accolade in the cultural and creative industries in South Africa.

Anant Singh is widely acknowledged as a pioneer in the South African film industry, and in a career spanning almost four decades has produced over eighty films. Notable films produced by Singh include A Place of Weeping, Sarafina!, Cry, the Beloved Country and the Academy Award-nominated films, Yesterday and Mandela: Long Walk to Freedom.

USIBA Creative and Cultural Industries Awards launches

23 May 2018

Incredible journey

Commenting on receiving the award Singh said, “Thanks to Minister Nathi Mthethwa and the Usiba Awards Committee for this incredible honour. When I reflect on my journey, beginning in the mid-1980s, making anti-apartheid movies, on the run from the security police, and then coming all the way 25 years later to produce “Mandela: Long Walk to Freedom” – it’s been an incredible journey.

This award is not just an acknowledgement of my work, but it also recognises the thousands of people who came together to make the films that I have produced. The Creative Industries is an aspect of South Africa that is undervalued and has tremendous potential to generate jobs and export opportunities. It is not only in film but also in music, pottery, painting and the visual and performing arts.

l believe that for the potential of the Creative Industries to be unlocked, there needs to be elevated support at government level. I would also like to congratulate my fellow honouree, Teboho Mahlatsi for his trailblazing work in the industry. Once again, thank you for this honour which I truly appreciate.”