Johannesburg-based television producer Michele Sparkes has been honoured by the Screen Excellence Awards 2013 (SEA), during a ceremony at the Fairmont Hotel, Zimbali Resort, Balito. Her award is for the documentary Miracle Rising: South Africa, which was last year broadcast globally by A+ E Networks UK channel History. Miracle Rising documented the 1994 political transformation thatculminated in South Africa’s first free and fair elections. The programme’s international success has led to the commissioning of a new production, The Wisdom of Mandela, produced by Sparkes and Trans Atlantic Productions.
The awards salute talented individuals who work tirelessly behind the scenes, individuals who have excelled in their discipline, and also commend productions that have pushed the boundaries of excellence.
Accepting the award, Sparkes thanked her director, Brett Lottriet Best, and all the crew and production team amongst which was the executive producer and her partner, Jon Sparkes. “These awards are truly special, because they recognise unsung heroes. Everyone on a production such as Miracle is vitally important to the eventual success of the programme. I thank each and every member of the team,” she said.
