Three artisans of the Gert Sibande TVET College’s Skills Academy scooped top honours at the Annual South African National Artisan Awards (SANAA) held on September 5.

Sheylin Sheyenne, Bongani Mutsweni and Andile Mazibuko competed in the millwright category and clinched first, second and third places respectively.

The theme of this year’s award ceremony was ‘Changing Artisanal Identity and Status’, with the Higher Education and Training Minister Buti Manamela delivering the keynote address.

He emphasised strengthening the skills pipeline between classrooms and workplaces.

The competition’s purpose is to challenge outdated perceptions and highlight artisans as skilled innovators, entrepreneurs, and key drivers of South Africa’s economy.

It featured 34 finalists chosen from across the country, representing public TVET colleges, industry trades, and workplace learning.

Key sectors covered engineering, automotive, building and construction, electrical, plumbing, and mechanical disciplines.

Related programmes include Artisans of Mzansi: A companion initiative powered by Allan Gray Makers that focuses on entrepreneurial artisan makers fighting unemployment through technical trades.

Sheyenne bagged a reward of R20 000 for first place, with Mutsweni taking home R15 000 and Mazibuko R10 000.