National Arts Council appoints new board
The National Arts Council (NAC) has finally appointed a new board of 23 members - almost two years after Arts and Culture Minister Pallo Jordan axed the previous board because it had lost the confidence of the arts community. While the move is good news for the efficacy of the beleaguered NAC, representation for the visual arts sector is thin. The board's composition is noticeably weighted towards Gauteng and there is an emphasis on arts administrators.
The minister's dismissal of the previous board followed many months of wrangling within the NAC, which included accusations of corruption and fraud which met with many counter-accusations. The latter stemmed from the suspension in November 2003 of the CEO, CFO and programme manager. The trio was in September 2004 effectively exculpated of the charges against them.
Minister Jordan said the appointment of the new board was a significant development in creating a stronger NAC that would make it easier for artists to pursue their chosen professions. In a media statement, he added: 'The role of the NAC is to facilitate access to the resources that will help our artists create works that will enrich our cultural life.'
The new board took effect from August 1. It comprises a mix of arts practitioners, activists and administrators across legal, business and academic spheres. The board is comprised of two sorts of members both of whom enjoy the same rights and status. The majority are elected by independent panel and the public, while the rest are put forward by their provinces.
New board members are:
Advocate Brenda Madumise, a lawyer from Gauteng
Narvin Lakha, an auditor from Gauteng
Z. Benghu, a human resource specialist from KwaZulu-Natal
Professor David Bunn, an academic, research and policy analyst from Gauteng
Charles Mabasao, an arts administrator, activist and businessman from Gauteng
Nicolas Motsatse, a music industry leader, lawyer and activist
Sello Galane, a researcher, arts educator, practitioner and policy analyst from Limpopo
Jonny Masilela, a journalist, writer and educationalist from North West
Delicia Forbes, a theatre practitioner and arts administrator from the Western Cape
Martin Schonberg, a choreographer, dancer and arts administrator from Gauteng
Giep van Zyl, an arts administrator, organiser and activist from Gauteng
Mduduzi Xakaza, a cultural activist, arts administrator and community leader from KwaZulu-Natal
Bongani Tembe, an opera singer, arts administrator and practitioner from KwaZulu-Natal
K. Thathiah, an academic, arts practitioner, policy analyst and arts administrator from Gauteng
Those board members recommended by the provinces are:
Princess Bushula from Northern Cape
Professor PJN Zungu from KwaZulu-Natal
Patrick Shai from Limpopo
Dirkie Offiringa from Gauteng
Motsilanyane Vera Khutsafalo from North West
Professor BB Mkonto from Eastern Cape
Thoko Nogabe from Free State
Moya Phosa from Mpumulanga
Celeste Matthews from Western Cape
