Sanlam awards SA students
Students from various tertiary institutions were invited to submit ground-breaking creative projects, and they excelled!
Seven young South African students have been recognised as true innovators at the inaugural Sanlam Private Investments (SPI) Innovation Awards.
Established as part of the celebrations to mark SPI’s ten-year birthday, students from selected tertiary institutions which focus on creative studies were invited to submit ground-breaking projects and were judged by high profile creative leaders.
“The Innovation Awards are an extension of Sanlam’s commitment to South African culture, art and creativity. Innovation is one of our core values at SPI and a quality we consider central to our business,” says Daniël Kriel, CEO of SPI (the business in the Sanlam stable which manages investments for high net worth individuals). “They aim to encourage original thinking among up-and-coming artists and designers and to contribute to the advancement of South Africa through innovation and creativity.”
The categories in the awards were interior design, food, architecture, fashion design, fine art, jewellery design and photography. In addition to the accolade and monetary incentive of R10 000, the pilot awards gave the students exposure within their particular industry as judging was undertaken by prominent individuals from each of the industries, as well as by Sanlam’s art curator Stefan Hundt and Kriel.
“The pace of contemporary life dictates that innovation is the only way to stay ahead,” says Kriel. “We are therefore incredibly proud to be associated with some of our country’s top creative minds, as well as these shining young stars, and hope that this platform will assist them in launching successful careers.”
An eighth award was awarded to a group of six adult learners currently enrolled in the Outreach Program at Ruth Prowse School of Art. The programme teaches adults from historically disadvantaged communities to develop design and craft skills, which in turn enables them to create marketable products and generate an income.
From new techniques, social commentary and solutions to local issues, the judges praised the students for their fresh approach, maturity and attention to detail.
Want to see some of the winning designs? Click here and browse through them.