Cape Town, South Africa - A diverse spread of South Africans were honoured at this weekend’s Siyabakhumbula Tribute Awards in Midrand. Minister of Arts and Culture Paul Mashatile delivered the keynote address at the event, which is intended to posthumously honour a number of extraordinary South Africans who changed the landscape of the country. Among those singled out were Dr Allan Paton, novelist and author of “Cry, The Beloved Country”; Moffat Zungu, a photographer whose works shaped the way the world perceived South Africa; Hansie Cronje, South Africa's famed cricket legend and Dr T W Khambule, a gifted mathematician.

The awards were received by family members of the honorees and cover many different areas of South African life, including journalism, the arts, sports, administration and education, among others.

The event was conceived after Vhutsila Arts Ensemble's Mzwakhe Mbuli saw a need to pay homage to those South Africans who have played an important role in creating and building a democratic South Africa.

Both prominent and ordinary citizens are honoured in these posthumous awards.

'Too often, people forget what they should remember, but remember what they should forget,' said Mbuli.

The awards were also being used to highlight the challenges faced by South Africa's physically-challenged citizens.

Presenters, performers, and honourees demonstrated the fact that physically-challenged  individuals have as much a role to play in South Africa's society as the able-bodied.

Pana 06/06/2011