MOSSEL BAY NEWS - Mossel Bay's Hein Marais, a stalwart of the arts and crafts sector in town, has once again won a prestigious Western Cape Cultural Affairs Award.
It was announced on Saturday, 3 March, that Hein won in the category, Best Contribution to Crafts and/or Design.
He won the same award in 2016. Hein owns and manages an art and craft shop in Church Street, called Township Angels. He can be found there every day of the week, working side by side with the crafters he employs.
They make papier mâché and a variety of other township-inspired products. The shop is a hit with tourists. Besides selling the handmade items, Hein also supports local artists and crafters, selling their wares in the shop.
Two years ago a Swiss television crew came to South Africa to make a documentary, in which Hein featured.
Since then 50 overseas visitors to the shop have said they saw the film and had come to see him and the shop.
Hein was nominated for the award by Dias Museum manager Mbulelo Mrubata. Hein told the Mossel Bay Advertiser: "I'm honoured and humbled that he nominated me for the award. I am nothing without my staff and I dedicate the trophy I received to them."
The footage taken by the Swiss film crew formed part of Mrubata's nomination package.
Besides providing full-time employment for his crafters, Marais has assisted in making many other crafters and artists self sufficient over the years.
Multi-talented and no stranger to fame, Hein once formed part of a Mossel Bay singing trio, Yebo Ja Yes, which zig-zagged across the country, giving performances and they cut an album.
A panel of judges decides on the winners of the Cultural Affairs Awards, which are presented at a grand event annually.
In her speech at the awards, Western Cape Minister of Cultural Affairs and Sport Anroux Marais said: "I congratulate each nominee and especially those who won the awards this evening.
"As we commemorate the centenary of Tata Madiba this year, we keep in mind his iconic legacy and remember his words - and I quote him: 'Our rich and varied cultural heritage has a profound power to help build our nation.'"
Unfortunately Hein was unable to attend the ceremony. He cracked a bone in his foot, was unable to walk properly and had to cancel at the last minute.
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