Kimberley arts director brings home Golden Shield Heritage Award
KIMBERLEY-based arts director Thapelo Kgakatsi was honoured with the prestigious Golden Shield Heritage Award at a recent ceremony in Cape Town.
His unwavering dedication to preserving, protecting, and promoting cultural heritage through the arts across the Northern Cape earned him this accolade in the Heritage Education category.
The ceremony took place on September 16 at the Arts Cape Theatre, where Kgakatsi was one of 10 winners recognised for their contributions.
As the founder of the Ubuhle Development Foundation, Kgakatsi has spent 20 years in the arts industry, consistently raising the profile of the Northern Cape.
The foundation, established in 2000, aims to nurture talent and foster cultural heritage development among the youth, contributing to a well-informed and positive society.
His efforts in advocating for cultural heritage education within his community distinguished him during the competition.
Kgakatsi’s impact extends beyond provincial borders, reaching into other African nations through cultural exchange programmes facilitated by his organisation.
Notably, he has collaborated with the Southern African San Development Organisation (SASDO) in these outreach initiatives.
In 2014, Kgakatsi furthered his expertise by studying Heritage Management at the McGregor Museum in Kimberley under the Kara Heritage Institute, where he gained in-depth knowledge about heritage site preservation, conservation and promotion.
Over the years, he has received numerous awards and recognitions, including being a national finalist in the Young Community Awards in 2005 and securing second place in the Arts and Culture category at the Northern Cape Premier's Youth Awards in 2007.
In 2008, he won the Jet Community Award in the Education category in Botshabelo, Free State. His role as a cultural activist and change-maker was highlighted in 2012 when he was featured on the SABC television show ‘Shift’.
In 2014, Kgakatsi participated in a Heritage Month research journey in the Kalahari Desert with thespian Moagi Modise and his team. This experience deepened his understanding of the Khomani San community.
Kgakatsi’s contributions were highlighted again in 2017 when he appeared on SABC1's “One Day Leader”, showcasing his organisation’s impact on youth inspiration. In 2018, his organisation won their first Dance Pages award, while in 2021 Kgakatsi achieved second place nationally in the UpWeGoMzansi dance category.
His accolades continued when he received a leadership excellence award from the Dance Pages Awards in 2023. That same year, he embarked on a cross-border cultural heritage exchange programme tour in Namibia and Botswana with SASDO.
This programme fosters social cohesion by allowing young people to learn about the San community, their language and way of life, while also promoting understanding of other cultures and heritage. It has also facilitated collaborative efforts in various programmes.
Kgakatsi expressed that the Golden Shield Heritage Award symbolises not only his commitment to preserving cultural heritage but also serves as a shield protecting the heritage he defends and promotes through his artistic endeavours.
He, however, voiced concerns about the lack of focus on heritage, especially among young people.
“I believe that nation-building capabilities make this work incredibly important as we teach our young people to protect, preserve and honour our cultural heritage. We don’t want our children to lose touch with their roots,” Kgakatsi stated.
Reflecting on his journey, he mentioned, “I have experienced and engaged with all aspects of heritage. I was fortunate to have great mentors like Collin Fortune, Mr Morris, Sephai Mngqolo and Giselle Baillie from the Under Pressure Agency for Heritage Management in 2004/05, to name a few.”
Kgakatsi expressed pride in being part of the Ubuhle Development Foundation, which he considers his home. “The children and youth I teach have been very supportive throughout this journey, and I dedicate this award to them,” he said.
He also shared a message of perseverance and hope: “I’m excited that this award serves as an inspiration to many. No matter the journey, never give up. The time to shine and be recognised will come in God’s good timing. We just need to stay in our lane and play our part.”
Kgakatsi vowed to continue amplifying Indigenous voices throughout his artistic journey and beyond. “As part of cultural heritage education, Ubuhle has partnered with Assitej SA, an organisation dedicated to ensuring access to theatre for every child and young person. This partnership encourages artists to create work that is diverse in quantity, quality and variety to engage with their audiences.”
He explained that involving artists in schools, community arts centres and early childhood development (ECD) centres significantly contributes to society by shaping the mindsets of young people and children to uphold their culture and heritage. “Youth within the community and artists from the organisation serve as facilitators and mentors at these centres, teaching and guiding the children.”
He emphasised the crucial role that activists play in educating the young about the importance of cultural heritage in today’s lifestyle. “We will see it fading away, and no one will have access to it if we don’t protect and defend it,” Kgakatsi warned.
He also highlighted the wisdom of Indigenous communities and their contributions to sustainable living. “I believe the impact of this award on the organisation will be a boost of confidence and sustainability, helping us overcome any challenges we face,” Kgakatsi elaborated.
He added that this recognition serves as an eye-opener for other artists and organisations, encouraging them to persist in their cultural heritage advocacy. He urged them to continue embracing and celebrating their heritage to keep it alive.
“I hope that arts and cultural heritage activists from all corners of this Province continue to push for the protection and promotion of our unique Northern Cape culture,” Kgakatsi said.
“This will also demonstrate to the entire country that we value and respect our culture. We celebrate it through various art forms like poetry, drama, dance, books and by teaching our children to protect our heritage resources, historic buildings, statues, languages and stories. These need to be documented and preserved in our libraries and museums for archival education purposes.
He also expressed gratitude for the support from the parents of the children he works with, noting, “It shows that they value my contribution to their children and the entire society.”
