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Veteran South African actress Nomhle Nkonyeni has died. Nkonyeni's nephew, Vusi Manapha, confirmed that she died at 4.30am on Wednesday. The actress, who received the Order of Ikhamanga in Silver earlier this year, had been in hospital since Friday.

A sold-out performance by Freshlyground and a free parade through the streets of Makhanda on Sunday saw out the National Arts Festival, an 11-day cultural binge of arts and entertainment.

In early June the SA Cultural Observatory was co-host of the Creative Intermediaries Forum that was hosted in District Six, Cape Town.

South African cultural trade received a boost with the international recognition of both Sho Madjozi and Ndlovu Youth Choir in late June.

The first quarter of our new financial year (2019/20) has been characterized by several momentous events. The country held successful national elections, elected the sixth administration into office, new national assembly members and new provincial legislatures

The work of the South African Cultural Observatory is highly enriched by learning from similar initiatives and organisations doing similar work across the globe

For people of Makhanda (formerly Grahamstown), life is busier than most other times during this period of the year. This is because the town is teeming with multitudes of artists and visitors from all over the world who come to attend the annual National Arts Festival

In July, South Africa celebrates former President Nelson Mandela's birthday. 18 July has been declared Nelson Mandela International Day, but as South Africans we embrace the chance to celebrate Nelson Mandela’s life for the whole of July. This gives everyone the opportunity to heed the call to action for people to recognise their individual power to make an imprint and change the world around them.

CHOREOGRAPHER, Oscar Buthelezi, an employee of the Moving into Dance Mophatong Company, travelled to Germany at the beginning of the month of June, where he performed a dance piece that saw him win three awards

It’s all systems go for the opening of the 45th National Arts Festival in Makhanda (formerly Grahamstown) today, with the curtain going up an a wide array of productions and performances on Thursday 27 June.

The deadline for entries for the 22nd Annual BASA Awards (partnered by Hollard), has been extended to 18 July 2019. According to BASA CEO, Ashraf Johaardien, “The BASA Awards not only promote mutually beneficial partnerships between business and the arts, but they also aim to encourage excellence and innovation in this area.” “These prestigious awards shine a spotlight on the diverse and imaginative ways that businesses partner with creative projects, events and initiatives,” adds BASA Head of Marketing, Savannah Feeke. “They are a platform for identifying best practice, as well as recognising and celebrating these partnerships. We have received several quality submissions for this year, but felt strongly that it was necessary to create the time and space for other, additional and amazing partnerships to also be considered,” she explains.

The dance production Amawethu - along with Artdiction exhibition and the performance art piece Xova - joins musicals Qina and Angola: Camp 13 on the list of works that will be presented by the South African State Theatre at this year’s National Arts Festival in Makhanda.