We are proud to announce that AFDA Johannesburg Production Course lecturer Kamogelo Matsoso recently won the first ever Sunday World Unsung Heroes Award in the category of Heroes in Sport, Arts & Culture.

The Sunday World editor Wally Mbhele describes the awards “as fitting tribute to the many young men and women across the country who are not afraid to dream and act – even when the odds are stacked against them.”

“Here are young men and women who consider it an honour and privilege to be truly tested by the grinding challenges of their generation. Like a defiant and triumphant generation of June 16 1976, these Unsung Heroes constantly provoke and stir our conscience with their determination and fortitude to overcome our problems.”

“It has been an honour and a blessing to be recognized and celebrated for the work that I do when I think no one is watching. This affirmed to me that hard work is important and that I should never give up, because someone is always watching!” says Kamo. She received the Unsung Hero Award on 21 June at the award ceremony held at the Houghton Hotel in Johannesburg.

The Sunday World talk about Kamo as a lecturer, young musician, arts facilitator and creative entrepreneur who strongly believes in empowering new talent so they could find their way in the music world. Apart from being a mesmerising performer of her own music, Kamo, through her creative business, Sounds of Kamo, teaches music to young and older people keen to express themselves through sound. She helps them find their voice and direction, and her music workshops take place around Gauteng. For example, in Tembisa on the East Rand, she has worked with the Moses Molelekwa Foundation, alongside Joy of Jazz to shine a spotlight on the amazing talent in the area. She’s a creative hero.

“Education has always been my form of empowerment,” Kamo says. “I have found beauty in teaching young people not just what they go to school to learn, but to instil values they can take to the creative industry.”