The Robben Island Museum council has resigned, the Arts and Culture Ministry announced on Tuesday.
The council members, including acting CEO Seelan Naidoo, voluntarily stepped down after ”robust” talks with Arts and Culture Minister Lulu Xingwana on Monday, her office said in a statement.
In the discussions, they briefed her on the council’s progress in carrying out its mandate, current developments and challenges needing attention, her office said.
”The minister decided to accept the resignations. The minister will appoint an interim council and interim CEO as soon as possible,” the ministry said.
Naidoo, who has been involved in the restructuring of the Market and Windybrow theatres in Johannesburg and the National Arts Council, could not be reached for comment on Tuesday.
The museum said he was in a meeting to inform staff of the resignations.
In an email to ”stakeholders”, including a number of prominent South Africans, on Thursday, Naidoo warned that the Robben Island Museum could collapse back into its former ”dysfunctional state” if a small group of employees succeeded in halting its restructuring.
The next day, it was announced that the Cape Town City Council was ”pausing the restructuring” to attend to the concerns of the group of protesting staff.
These National Education, Health and Allied Workers’ Union members had picketed at the museum’s ferry terminal in Cape Town harbour, demanding that Naidoo be axed.
At the time, Naidoo said the workers feared losing their jobs and having their skills scrutinised when a new organisational structure was implemented.
Naidoo said while he was willing to walk away from the job if it would assist the museum, he could not in good conscience stand by and watch it ”held hostage and sacrificed in such a nefarious manner”.
”I also cannot engage in this battle by myself since it could then be interpreted as an individual struggle.”
He called on ”all stakeholders who have an interest in the future of the Robben Island Museum to come to its aid”.
Xingwana’s office said on Tuesday she would appoint an interim council and interim CEO as soon as possible.
”During June 2009, the Department of Arts and Culture shall commence the process for advertising for nominations for new council members.”
Xingwana would meet staff and stakeholders of the museum on Friday to ensure there was a smooth transition.
The department expressed confidence that the resignations would not disrupt the museum’s work programme. — Sapa