Minister of Arts and Culture Pallo Jordan welcomed a new board — nine women and 15 men — to the National Arts Council (NAC) at a ceremony in Newtown in Johannesburg on Monday.
”We see the appointment of the new board as a significant development in creating a stronger NAC that will make it easier for our artists to pursue their chosen professions,” said the minister.
An independent panel was appointed to make recommendations for new board members. That process commenced with a call to the public for nominations. The nominees were interviewed by the panel, which then prepared a shortlist for the minister.
”Many of these are new members who are expected to introduce a breath of fresh air into the operation of the NAC,” said departmental spokesperson Sandile Mamela in a statement.
The appointments come into effect from Tuesday August 1 2006.
The names of the new board members are:
Advocate Brenda Madumise, a lawyer from Gauteng;
Mr Narvin Lakha, an auditor from Gauteng;
Mr Z Bhengu, a human-resource specialist from KwaZulu-Natal;
Professor David Bunn, an academic researcher and policy analyst from Gauteng;
Mr Charles Mabaso, an arts administrator, activist and businessman from Gauteng;
Mr Nicolas Motsatse, a music industry leader, lawyer and activist;
Mr Sello Galane, a researcher, arts educator, practitioner and policy analyst from Limpopo;
Mr Johnny Masilela, a journalist, writer and educationist from North West;
Ms Delicia Forbes, a theatre practitioner and arts administrator from Western Cape;
Mr Martin Schonberg, a choreographer, dancer and arts administrator from Gauteng;
Mr Giep van Zyl, an arts administrator, organiser and activist from Gauteng;
Mr Mduduzi Xakaza, a rural-based cultural activist, arts administrator and community leader from KwaZulu-Natal;
Mr Bongani Tembe, an opera signer, arts administrator and practitioner from KwaZulu-Natal; and
Mr K Thathiah, an academic, arts practitioner, policy analyst and arts administrator from Gauteng.
”We are pleased at the calibre of women and men who have been chosen by an independent panel and highly recommended by the provinces themselves,” said Jordan. — Sapa