South African artist and environmental advocate Natania Botha has received the Women of South Africa Imbokodo Award for Arts and Culture.
Natania’s mosaics spark conversations about the environment, peace and the power of positive change. That impact has earned the local ‘artivist’ another award!
The Imbokodo Awards celebrate women making an impact through leadership, resilience, creativity and service. The name draws inspiration from the famous isiZulu phrase, ‘Wathint’ abafazi, wathint’ imbokodo’ (‘You strike a woman, you strike a rock’), paying ode to the strength and resilience of women.
Natania’s recognition at the awards ceremony comes after many years spent using art as a way to spark conversations around environmental conservation, peace and positive change.
Natania’s incredible mosaic sculptures are created from reclaimed materials ranging from broken ceramics and bottle tops to industrial waste. Her work has found homes in public spaces, been presented to the United Nations and, perhaps most importantly, encouraged people to see discarded materials and environmental issues in a different light.
The Imbokodo Award joins two other major recognitions Natania has received this year. In March she was honoured with a WOW Africa 50 Women Award for Environmental and Creative Stewardship, before receiving the Go Getters Excellence – Global Influencer for Positive Change Award in June.
“I am deeply honoured to be named one of only two recipients for the Women of South Africa Imbokodo Award in the Arts & Culture category.” she said.
“This recognition is not mine alone. It belongs to the village of women who shaped me, believed in me, challenged me and helped make me the woman I am today.”
