Senior arts and culture official Vusithemba Ndima has been appointed interim CEO of the Robben Island Museum.
Arts and Culture Minister Lulu Xingwana delegated full powers of the position to him, her office said in a statement on Thursday.
Ndima is acting deputy director general of cultural heritage in the Department of Arts and Culture.
He was tasked with bringing greater stability to the day-to-day running of the Robben Island Museum and working closely with senior management and the rest of the staff. Xingwana’s office said his appointment brought the museum under direct departmental oversight.
”The minister is confident that the interim appointment will ensure efficient and uninterrupted operations at the museum.”
Department spokesperson Mana Lewele said Ndima would act as CEO for about a month before he would be replaced by the head of Cape Town council’s Iziko Museums, Henry Bredekamp. Bredekamp would also serve in an interim capacity.
Xingwana’s office said she visited Robben Island on Wednesday and informed staff of these developments.
She assured them that she would fast-track the appointment of a new CEO.
The administration of the museum, which houses the prison where Nelson Mandela spent most of his time behind bars, has for years been riven by infighting, controversy and allegations of mismanagement.
Former interim CEO Seelan Naidoo was appointed in July 2008 after the council suspended chief executive Paul Langa and two other senior officials following a forensic report on museum operations.
Naidoo’s brief from the council at the time was to ”comprehensively restructure” the institution.
He had previously been involved in the restructuring of the Market and Windybrow theatres in Johannesburg and the National Arts Council, where he served as CEO.
He, along with the council, resigned from their posts at the end of May following talks with Xingwana. – Sapa