WOMAD awards honouring Capetonian artists and cultural icons

Musicians, producers, cultural organisers, photojournalists, and industry veterans who have shared their knowledge with youth were honoured with lifetime achievement awards from WOMAD South Africa at a ceremony hosted at the Desmond and Leah Tutu Legacy Foundation centre in Cape Town, on Tuesday, September 23. 

Marlene le Roux, George Werner, Pedro Espi Sanchis, Craig Parks, and Rashid Lombard, posthumously, were recognised for their lifelong dedication and commitment to sharing the arts with various generations, on local and international stages.

Ms Le Roux, Artscape's director, dedicated her award to her son, Adam, who died of cerebral palsy eight years ago, to the children of Palestine who have been killed, and people with disabilities, who cannot do things for themselves.

She said that words meant nothing when there was no connection with people. "Kindness costs absolutely nothing. The arch teaches us that when you are a musician, a dancer, a poet, in Afrikaans a rapper or 'n rymkletse, it comes from within.

"Immediately, if you don't understand humanity and who you need to serve, your art actually vanishes," said Ms Le Roux. 

She accepted the award on behalf of the village that raised her, the artists who still need to be on stages. 

She encourages others to do this in the spirit of hope, collaboration, humanity, and humility. "Arts is a force for change and this is what WOMAD is about," said Ms Le Roux. 

Giant in South African jazz George Werner, from Athlone, said he has "all of this information that he would like to share".

"Imagine I get to heaven - St Peter is there. He says to me, 'You're a good person, but there is no place for you here. You brought too much baggage. Why did you not share the baggage on earth?' I was given information, and I need to share it.

"This city has so much talent. I'm sitting here with the information. Let me not take all of this information. People with information just share it. Don't waste it," he said.

Music producer Craig Parks, from the southern suburbs, dedicated his award to his posthumous partners John Esterhuizen and Quinton Raaff, who pledged to show South Africa what South African music means to them, with the start of the Cape Town Jazzathon, which is 30 years old next year.

Musician, composer, storyteller, and African music specialist Pedro Espi Sanchis, from Kalk Bay, said the award was a recognition of his life's work. 

"WOMAD has created a platform for world music to be shared, with its family programmes, storytelling workshops, making instruments, and the children's programmes," he said. 

South African photojournalist and cultural organiser Rashid Lombard was honoured posthumously, with his children accepting the award.

His son Zach Lombard-Raizenberg, from Kenilworth, on receipt of the award to his sister Yana Lombard, from Crawford, and their brother Daniel Lombard-Raizenberg, from Kenilworth, said that their father was not just a good man but a great man. "Our father created stages where there were none. Opening doors, giving voices, and making sure our stories and our music were heard on the bigger stages in the world.

"His passing left a big gap in our lives, but tonight reminds us that his vision and his legacy live on in the work he created, the lives he touched. This award is a reminder of his vision and dedication, and it will live on forever."

United 4 Humanity is the festival’s flagship initiative that unites world-class musicians, storytellers, and cultural leaders to spark conversations on social cohesion and humanity.

With an immersive 360° sound and visual experience, every audience member will get to enjoy the performance from any angle.

Tickets are available via Quicket. For more details, please visit the WOMAD SA website and social media pages.