DEPUTY MINISTER PEACE MABE CONGRATULATES TYLA ON HISTORIC MTV VMA WIN.

Pretoria, South Africa, 8 September 2025 — Deputy Minister of Sport, Arts and Culture, Peace Mabe, congratulates Tyla Laura Seethal, 23, on her second consecutive victory at the MTV Video Music Awards, where she won the Best Afrobeats Award for her global hit Push 2 Start.

This historic win cements Tyla’s place among the most influential young artists of her generation. From Edenvale, Johannesburg, to the world stage, she has become a powerful symbol of what South African creativity can achieve when nurtured and celebrated.

“From township beginnings to international arenas, Tyla has carried our music and identity to the highest stages. She embodies the spirit of resilience, creativity and pride that defines our people. Her journey proves that South African artists are not only competitive, but also capable of setting global trends,” said Deputy Minister Mabe.

Her recognition comes at a time when the Department of Sport, Arts and Culture is intensifying its commitment to building a cultural ecosystem that enables artists to thrive at home and abroad. The Department’s mandate, anchored in the Constitution and the 1996 White Paper on Arts, Culture and Heritage, is clear: to promote free cultural expression, to support the creative industries, and to position South Africa’s arts as a driver of economic growth, social cohesion, and global influence.

Deputy Minister Mabe stressed that Tyla’s achievements mirror this vision. “Our role is to ensure that every South African artist has the tools and opportunities to succeed. The Constitution guarantees the right to participate in the arts, and our policies give practical effect to that principle. Tyla’s rise shows why this work matters, and why we must keep investing in our artists.”

The Department continues to roll out structural support for the sector. The Mzansi Golden Economy (MGE) Programme provides grants to enable artists and companies to stage productions, tour nationally and internationally, and create jobs within the creative economy. Bursary schemes, incubator programmes, and artist-in-residency initiatives are designed to strengthen the pipeline of talent. The Emerging Creatives Programme in partnership with design and cultural institutions ensures that young voices break through onto platforms where their work can be seen and celebrated.

“These are not abstract commitments,” said Deputy Minister Mabe. “They are deliberate systems of support, designed so that when a young girl or boy picks up a microphone, a paintbrush, or a script, they are not limited by circumstance but propelled by opportunity.”

She also acknowledged the realities of tension that can exist between artists and government. “We know that artists sometimes feel unheard. They may raise grievances about resources, recognition, or bureaucracy. That reality cannot be ignored. But let there be no doubt: the Department’s commitment is unwavering. Even when we differ, our role remains to stand with our artists, to listen, and to provide support wherever possible. We are here to help them succeed, because their success is the nation’s success.”

Tyla’s international recognition makes her more than a singer — she is now an ambassador of South African culture. Her artistry exports the rhythms, stories, and spirit of our people to audiences across continents. In doing so, she deepens cultural diplomacy and expands the reach of South Africa’s heritage.

As South Africa celebrates this moment, the Deputy Minister reminded the nation of the broader significance: “Tyla’s triumph is not just hers. It belongs to the millions of young South Africans who see in her story a reflection of their own potential. It belongs to every artist who works tirelessly, often without recognition, to carry our culture forward. And it belongs to a country that continues to prove that its creative spirit is indomitable.”

The Department of Sport, Arts and Culture reaffirms its commitment to strengthening the creative industries through investment, policy, and partnership. Tyla’s story is a reminder that with the right support, South African artists can not only succeed locally but redefine the global cultural landscape.