Chairperson of VUT Council bags top cultural and creative award for his literary work
05 April 2024
Chairperson of the Vaal University of Technology (VUT) Council, Professor Mandla Radebe has over the years, not only earned himself widespread acclaim and recognition for his literary work, but he has accolades to show for it.
A new addition to his award cabinet, is the recently scooped Cultural and Creative Industry (CCI) Award in the much-eyed Books and Publishing (Non-Fiction) category. The inaugural much-anticipated CCI Awards were bestowed to deserving recipients at a glitz and glamorous gala event held at the Sandton Convention Centre on 30 March 2024.
A flagship program of the Department of Sport, Arts and Culture, these awards are to be most desired recognition and cultural phenomenon in the South African creative industry, bestowed to SA’s top and leading creatives from across cultural domains. These are men and women with flowing creative juices who push the boundaries of their creative ability and show devotion to excellence with uncompromising quality, groundbreaking creativity and relentless innovation that defines those that are outstanding from the best.
Radebe was awarded for his remarkable book titled “The Lost Prince of the ANC: The Life and Times of Jabulani Nobleman ‘Mzala’ Nxumalo” which he published in 2022 with Jacana Media. The 374-page book is a full intimate and analytical account of one of South Africa’s revolutionaries, Jabulani Nxumalo, who in his own was a critical thinker, writer and constant questioner. In this ‘revolutionary book’ as it has been described by many reviewers, Radebe uses his storytelling and literary prowess to take the readers through the life and time of Mzala – from birth to his untimely death in London in 1991, at the age of 35.
In his award acceptance speech, Radebe acknowledged the role played by Mzala’s family and his own in the realisation of his dream. He further dedicated the award to the memory of Mzala Nxumalo and the valiant youth of the 1976 generation who sacrificed their lives for the nation’s freedom. He said he was also thankful to the University of Johannesburg for their invaluable assistance, as well as his publishers, Jacana Media for what he termed “their steadfast support and belief in the project”.
Radebe is no stranger to award red carpets – this recent award comes hot on the heels of the prestigious South African Literary Award (SALA), where the very same book won in the Best Creative Non-Fiction category in November 2023.
Prof Radebe was elected Chairperson of the VUT Council in November 2022, after serving as an ordinary member of the Council from August 2021. A man who wears different hats at different times, when Radebe is not devoted to the work of VUT, he is an Associate Professor for Strategic Communication and Director of the Centre for Data and Digital Communications at the University of Johannesburg.
Congratulations to Prof Radebe.