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That which has been marked by the Wind II by Amy Rusch -
Doaa Fakher -
AU DESSUS DES MILLE ( Above a Thousand ) by Dina Nomena -
Full moon by Reem Aljeally -
Head Above Water by Chigozie Obi -
Fetlework Tadesse -
Memories of The Future by Aleruchi Kinika -
My bread and butter by Naledi Maifala -
The Lover iv by Haneem Christian -
The Swenkas by Azola Kingston -
Written by the Orators II by Tinyiko Makwakwa -
Love takes root by Chinecherem Peace Ifedilichukwu
Now in its fourth year, the ANNA Award celebrates, recognises and nurtures upcoming women artists in Africa and the diaspora. We take a look at who is on the shortlist for 2025.
WORDS Gina Dionisio
The award forms part of ANNA and Latitudes – two female-centric South African brands – ongoing mission to embolden and empower women.
“ANNA is rooted in values of liberation, belonging, sustainability and truth – and art is a powerful way to express that. This award is a celebration of those values, and of the women who embody them through their creativity,” says Aldre Geldenhuys, Director of ANNA Pure Organic Pads and Liners, South Africa’s first locally produced, environmentally conscious sanitary range.
Roberta Coci, co-founder of Latitudes, says that the response to this year’s ANNA Award has been overwhelming. “We received over 800 entries from 38 countries, revealing a remarkable depth of talent, vision and courage. It affirmed the need for platforms that centre women’s stories, and we’re excited to build on that foundation as the award grows in visibility and impact within the contemporary African art ecosystem.”
The 12 finalists who were shortlisted for the 2025 ANNA Awards are:
- Aleruchi Kinika (Nigeria)
- Amy Rusch (South Africa)
- Azola Kingston (USA)
- Chigozie Obi (Nigeria)
- Chinecherem Peace Ifedilichukwu (Nigeria)
- Dina Nomena Andriarimanjaka (Madagascar)
- Doaa Fakher (Egypt)
- Fetlework Tadesse (Ethiopia)
- Haneem Christian (South Africa)
- Naledi Maifala (Botswana)
- Reem Aljeally (Sudan)
- Tinyiko Makwakwa (South Africa)
The winner will be announced on 6 August 2025, after being chosen by the esteemed ANNA Award selection committee:
- Julia Buchanan – Cape Town-based art specialist, founder of Buchanan & Co. and Art School Africa
- Yvonne Ndege – UN Agency Regional Head of Communication & Spokesperson, art collector
- Nicola Bird – Director of SAFFCA (Southern African Foundation for Contemporary Art)
- Linda Mabhena-Olagunju – Founder and CEO of DLO Energy Resources Group, art collector
- Boitumelo Makousu – Curator, Latitudes
- Thenjiwe Niki Nkosi – US-born, South Africa-based, multimedia artist
The 2025 ANNA Award winner will receive a R100 000 cash prize from ANNA, a SAFFCA residency, a solo presentation at the 2026 RMB Latitudes Art Fair, a dedicated profile on Latitudes Online, and a year’s supply of ANNA products. Their work will also become part of the growing ANNA Awards Collection. In addition, twelve finalists will be showcased to the Latitudes audience, who will have the opportunity to vote for the recipient of the Audience Award. | latitudes.online
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