Veteran actresses honoured with Lifetime achievement awards

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Veteran actresses Thembi Mtshali-Jones and Leleti Khumalo were honoured with the prestigious Lifetime Achievement Awards the 2nd Annual Golden Elephant ceremony.

Hosted by Duma Ndlovu, executive producer of Word of Mouth Pictures, the prestigious event was held at the Market Theatre in Newtown on Wednesday.

The esteemed award recognizes individuals who have made a profound and lasting impact on the creative industry, both locally and internationally.

It also celebrates not only South African talent but also international luminaries whose contributions have played a pivotal role in shaping African arts for more than two decades.

This esteemed recognition aims to commemorate outstanding achievements in the global arts and further elevate the creative industry on a global scale.

Thespians, Thembi Mtshali and Leleti Khumalo, join the ranks of John Kani, the first recipient of the award who was meant to hand the awards to this year’s recipients, but had to rush to London for a Disney, Lion King.

Actresses lauded for outstanding talent

Mtshali-Jones is widely recognized as one of South Africa’s most celebrated actresses, known for her remarkable performances in popular television series such as Sgudi ‘Snaysi, Stokvel, Silent Witness, and Imbewu: The Seed.

Khumalo, equally lauded for her outstanding talent, is best known for her iconic role in the movie and stage play Sarafina!

She has also captivated audiences in films like Hotel Rwanda, Yesterday, and Invictus, as well as in television series like Imbewu: The Seed and Uzalo currently in Muvhango.

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“We are deeply honored and grateful to receive the Lifetime Achievement Awards at the 2nd Annual Golden Elephant Ceremony. It’s a recognition of our years of dedication to the arts, and we hope to continue inspiring others through our work,” said Mtshali-Jones.

Leleti added: “We are humbled by this prestigious award and thankful for the opportunity to contribute to the creative industry. This recognition motivates us to keep pushing boundaries and telling meaningful stories through our art.”

Ndlovu highlighted that the award was given to individuals who are recognized for their exceptional contributions and impact on the creative industry.

He emphasized that the purpose of the award is to sustain and invigorate the creative industry.

“Creativity is the heartbeat of the industry, and we must recognize and celebrate those who bring extraordinary contributions to keep it alive,” Ndlovu concluded.