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The fourth iteration of the ANNA Award is here! Launched in 2022, the aim of the award, which is sponsored by ANNA Pure Organic, South Africa’s first locally manufactured, environmentally friendly and organic feminine hygiene product range, is to discover, recognise and nurture a new generation of women artists from the African continent.

For both ANNA and Latitudes, it is crucial that the ANNA Award is as inclusive as possible. As such, no formal art training is required in order to apply and the competition is open to women-identifying artists working in any medium.

Our soon-to-be announced selection committee will be deciding on 12 finalists and a winner. The ANNA Award winner will be announced Wednesday 6 August 2025, in celebration of Women's Month. 

Applications Closed 

Ts&Cs apply

More on the selection committee:

Julia Buchanan is a Cape Town-based art specialist with a key focus on Contemporary Art from Africa. With a background in both art and fashion, she is committed to empowering and amplifying new voices across the continent.

Her career spans impactful roles at leading institutions, including Norval Foundation, where she was part of the starting team. She is the founder of Buchanan & Co, an art advisory focused on helping collectors and corporates engage meaningfully with contemporary art. In 2023, she also launched Art School Africa - a registered non-profit organisation dedicated to empowering local art practitioners through educational resources centred on professional practice.

Julia serves as a mentor in Pick n Pay’s Futurewear Programme, an initiative supporting emerging fashion designers in South Africa, and is a member of the Harvard Center for African Studies Art Initiative Group, where she contributes to advancing dialogue around art from Africa on a global stage.

She holds an MA in Cultural Leadership from the Royal Academy of Arts and the Maastricht School of Business, a BA in Painting from the Michaelis School of Fine Art, and a Postgraduate Diploma in Entrepreneurship - making her as much a creative as she is a business mind. Blending market expertise, entrepreneurial vision, and a passion for local talent, Julia is a dynamic force in the local cultural landscape.

Linda Mabhena-Olagunju is the founder and CEO of DLO Energy Resources Group (Pty) Ltd a 100% black woman owned independent power producer which owns and operates one of  Africa’s largest wind farms. She is a special adviser to the Minister of Electricity and Energy for the Republic of South Africa. In addition to this role, she serves as an advisory council member to Ocean Energy Pathway as well as Concordia. She has previously served on the boards of the University of Oxford, Swiss Port, Energy For Access, Zayed Future Energy Award and City Power.

She is considered one of the most influential women in the energy sector in Africa and she has been recognised for her work receiving numerous business awards including the Forbes Africa Entrepreneur Award, the  Veuve Clicquot Businesswomen Award as well the prestigious CNBC all Africa Business Leaders Awards. 

She recently launched the DLO Skills Initiative which aims to upskill the African labour force for opportunities in the renewable energy sector. She holds an LLB from the University of Cape Town and an LLM (with diction) from the University of Aberdeen.

Nicola Bird studied at the University of Stellenbosch, where she graduated in BCom -Accounting and qualified as a Chartered Accountant in 2000. She further qualified as a CFA Charter holder in 2003.

Nicola is a Director of SAFFCA (Southern African Foundation for Contemporary Art), which is a foundation in support of young and upcoming African artists and has been in this role since November 2016. She is responsible for the South African arm of the Foundation and is a passionate art collector herself.

Thenjiwe Niki Nkosi (b.1980, United States) lives and works in Johannesburg. Nkosi obtained her BA from Harvard University (2004) and her MFA from the School of Visual Arts in New York (2008). She divides her time between studio work, performance, and navigating the field of art as social practice. Her work investigates the lived consequences of imperial histories and the personal dimensions of political identities, collectivity, and futurity, among other concepts. 

Her work has recently been exhibited at SFMOMA, San Francisco (2024-5), The Hammer Museum, Los Angeles (2024), Kunstmuseum Basel (2024), Kunsthal KAdE, Amersfoort (2023), 15th Sharjah Biennale, United Arab Emirates (2023), Stevenson Amsterdam (2023), Broad Museum of Art, Michigan State University (2023), Naughton Gallery Queen’s University, Belfast (2023), Eastside Projects, Birmingham (2022), and The Zeitz Museum of Contemporary Art Africa, Cape Town (2022-3).

Yvonne Ndege is an award-winning journalist and a seasoned expert in media, communications, and visibility, with over 20 years of experience at some of the world’s most respected media institutions, including the BBC and Al Jazeera English. For the past eight years, she has served as Regional Head of Communication and Spokesperson for various United Nations agencies. She currently works for the International Organisation for Migration (IOM), the UN Migration Agency, and has previously held a similar role at UNHCR, the UN Refugee Agency.

In addition to her work in global communications, she is a sought-after moderator and host, having collaborated with organisations such as the World Bank, African Development Bank, International Labour Organisation, Africa Climate Summit, Women Deliver, and Expo Dubai.
She is also an avid art collector, with a deep appreciation for contemporary African art.

Boitumelo Makousu is a Johannesburg-based independent curator and heritage practitioner, originally from Potchefstroom. She currently serves as Curator at Latitudes Online and leads the RMB Special Projects: International Galleries Section – The Botswana Focus at the RMB Latitudes Art Fair. As the founder of Kulture Imbizo PTY LTD, which focuses on cultural heritage tourism, educational programmes, research, and archiving, Makousu is committed to reimagining African creative ecosystems - particularly in semi-urban and rural areas.

Her curatorial, writing, and art education experience spans institutions such as Latitudes Online, JOMBA! Dance Festival, Javett-UP Art Centre, Bag Factory Artists’ Studios, and the North-West University Art Gallery. Engaging both within and beyond traditional art spaces, she explores transnational artistic practices across the African continent and its diaspora. Her practice is grounded in collaboration, cultural advocacy, heritage education and platform-building for contemporary African art.

First Prize

R100,000 cash prize from ANNA Pure Organic, a profiling opportunity at RMB Latitudes Art Fair, a dedicated feature in Latitudes newsletter and social media, well as a year’s supply of ANNA Organic products.

Audience Award

The top twelve finalists selected will all receive a profile on Latitudes and be considered for an artist residency programme hosted by SAFFCA. The public will be invited to vote for an Audience Award winner from the top twelve. This artist will receive a year’s supply of ANNA products as well as a newsletter and social media feature.

About ANNA 

ANNA, South Africa’s first locally manufactured, environmentally friendly and organic menstrual product range is taking the lead in creating environmentally friendly sanitary products. The ANNA team believes that women who are conscious of their ecological footprint shouldn't have to compromise comfort in the process of lowering their environmental impact.

By providing environmentally conscious women with a real alternative to traditional plastic sanitary products, ANNA is empowering women to take ownership of, not only their own physical wellbeing, but the wellbeing of the environment, too.

As a cohesive, global consciousness about the environmental impact of disposable, single-use plastic products are becoming more evident, plastic-free products, such as the ANNA pure organic product range, are starting to take the frontline on the shelves of responsible retailers. The range currently consists of two ground-breaking organic products, ANNA Maxi Pads and ANNA  Liners.

Find ANNA Pure Organic Pads and Liners at the following stockists:

Ackermans. Checkers, DisChem, Faithful to Nature, Natural Options,  Pick ‘n Pay, and selected Spars.

www.annapureorganic.co.za

@annapureorganic

The artist residency is the result of an exciting partnership between Latitudes, ANNA and Southern African Foundation For Contemporary Art (SAFFCA).

Residency information

One of the Top 12 ANNA Award finalists will be invited to one of five beautiful residency locations including, Lion Sands Ivory Lodge, Sabi Sands in Mpumalanga, UNESCO World Heritage site Witklipfontein, The Entabeni Urban Farm in Knysna, Abbaye de la Cambre in Brussels and the Gallery MOMO Residency in Johannesburg. 

Please note: the location of the residency for 2025 is subject to several considerations and will be a discussion at the time of the announcement. 

Residency offerings

Lion Sands x The MORE Family Collection Artist Residency

The MORE Family Collection in Partnership with SAFFCA has launched an artist residency program. Arising out of the earth and blending into the landscape, the award-winning Lion Sands Ivory Lodge in Sabi Sand, Mpumalanga, was inspired by its breath-taking natural surroundings. The design is both a reflection and an incorporation of the African bush, treading lightly and honoring the space it occupies on the banks of the Sabie River. The residency at the lodge serves as a gallery and studio, welcoming participants to live, work, and interact within this unique environment. Stays of up to six weeks allow individuals to draw unparalleled inspiration from the location and wildlife sightings, fostering the creation of new pieces while also providing a platform forshowcasing their work.

With the intention to promote South African art, in collaboration with SAFFCA, and nurture emerging talent, MORE Family Collection initiated the residency in 2021. The concept resonates with the desire among travellers worldwide for meaningful, immersive, and experiential experiences. Guests have the opportunity to engage with the talented residents, gaining insights into their creative processes and potentially acquiring original, collectible artwork.

“Historically, we have alwayssupported local artists,” explains MORE CEO Robert More. “Our aim with the Artist Residency is to provide them with a dedicated space to focus on their craft while connecting with an appreciative audience. For our guests, this offers an enriching and distinctive experience that enhances their stay at Lion Sands Ivory Lodge."

Witklipfontein

Witklipfontein stands as one of the original farms within The Vredefort Dome, a UNESCO World Heritage site.

In 2013, the Huyberechts Family realised their dream of owning a farm in Africa, driven by a desire to reconnect with nature and the fundamental aspects of life. Since then, they have dedicated themselves to enhancing this natural haven, establishing a bountiful vegetable garden and constructing decent housing for the workers, serving as a prototype for future residency spaces.

Encompassing 215 hectares of diverse landscapes including plains, hills, a kloof, a spruit, and dams, the farm exudes breathtakingbeauty and tranquillity, evoking a profound sense of peace and well-being. The environment evolves harmoniously with the changing seasons, transitioning from the lush greenery of summer, occasionally refreshed by gentle rains, to the dry, golden hues of winter, marked by stark light and crisp temperatures.

The studio at Witklipfontein is equipped with an array of construction tools, easels, and trestle tables for artists' use. Creatives are encouraged to explore the farm's soil for natural pigments or clay work, with the option to craft homemade paints under Michael's expert guidance. A pottery kiln is conveniently situated at the manager's house.

The residency fosters a deliberate disconnection from the frenetic pace of the outside world, with no Wi-Fi provided within the residence. However, artists are welcome to utilise their own data in designated areas to maintain connectivity. Additionally, guests are invited to indulge in a refreshing swim at the main lodge when it is unoccupied.

In essence, Witklipfontein Residence offers artists a serene and inspirational setting, nurturing a profound connection with nature and facilitating a deep exploration of their creative endeavours.

Entabeni Urban Farm Residency

In pure Knysna spirit, we are igniting a passion in art.

Greg and Lizette Barnes are the inspiration behind the concept of Entabeni Urban Farm. In their own words: ‘Our second half-century of life marks the beginning of our legacy phase. Entabeni is our opportunity to give back, serve, and create joy, meaning and fulfilment for others. We are fortunate to combine our strengths, experience and passion and create something memorable, meaningful and lasting for future generations and the community embarking on this life adventure with us.

Uganda-born Benon Lutaayawas the first artist to experience life on Entabeni Farm. His sense of hope, opportunity and optimism still lingers around every corner of Hudson Manor. He taught us that nothing is ever wasted and that everything has a place in this world. Art is often-co-created with the environment. Many artists have created artworks influenced by experiencing the devastation, destruction and hope after the Kynsna fires of 2017.

We have had the pleasure of hosting Chris Soal, Barbara Schroeder, Chrisel Attewell, Minnette Vari, Pauline Gutter, Clement Garnung, Greatjoy Ndlovu, Luc Detot, Kinelwe Makoena, Helena Hugo, Nompumelelo Vuyiswa Tshabalala, Mbongeni Fakudze Eric Chabrely, Asemahle Ntlonti, Petra Schutte, Thando Salman, Mfundo Mthiyane, Bambolwami Sibiya, Ttayob Moosa, Kyra Pape and Arina van Der Merwe.

We’re a proud member of SAFFCA.

SAFFCA.EU in Brussels Residency

The aim of this residency is for the artist to use this time in a truly special location in Brussels to inter alia experiment, develop new ideas and/or techniques, venture in new avenues and engage in multicultural conversations through the art practice. Brussels is today the most cosmopolitan city in the world after Dubai and therefore an ideal place for the latter.

Art is and has been cherished in Brussels for a long time. As you probably know, Belgium is the country which has the biggest number of artcollectors per capita in the world.

SAFFCA.EUis located in Ixelles within walking distance of many amenities and is in the centre of a strong socio-economic diversity. Furthermore some 148 languages are spoken in Ixelles.

The fabulous and historic site of the Abbey is also in a way the tip end of the forest penetrating into the city. The Abbey developments started in 1201. The area was then outside Brussels like ‘Saint Germain des Prés’ was once outside Paris.

Your residency should be a rich time of inner exploration, and we, as a team, will help the artist in whatever way we can to assist you within our limits.

The artist will be able to develop her/his art practice in her/his own studio while having many multicultural conversations around the subject of “art-making” with the other artists working in our space at that time.

The studio space and accommodation are fully provided for at : 17 Abbaye de la Cambre,1050 Bruxelles

Gallery MOMO Residency

In an exciting development, SAFFCA is proud to announce its partnership with Gallery MOMO, as they delve into the residency program together set to launch this year 2023.

Residency@MOMO was established in 2006. The residency has two spacious work areas and can accommodate three individual artists at a time. It is primarily for visiting international artists and curators across any arts discipline, including visual and performing artists, writers, and filmmakers. The residency program was founded by its neighbouring gallery to enable work and social engagement between international and South African artists, as well as to encourage experimentation and exchange. Not all residencies result directly in exhibitions or events, though some manifestation of work is encouraged, with the emphasis being on the opportunity to live, work, and connect in Johannesburg. Residencies are non-prescriptive and process-based, allowing visiting artists to develop projects in response to their new environment, or to conduct research. The residency has a Utopian philosophy that provides a ‘big space’ for art and creation.

Further Reading In Articles

African Artist Directory

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