P Jordan announces new Arts Council board members, 1 Aug

1 August 2006

The Minister of Arts and Culture, Dr Z Pallo Jordan has appointed the new
board of the National Arts Council with effect from Tuesday, 1 August – 9 women
and 15 men!

Many of these are new members who are expected to introduce a breath of
fresh air into the operations of the NAC.

Significantly, most of them are arts practitioners, activists and
administrators with grassroots experience. Others are drawn from a legal,
business or academic background.

In November 2004, Minister Jordan was compelled to release the previous
board of the NAC after he became convinced that it had lost the confidence of
the arts community.

As laid down by law, Minister Jordan appointed an independent panel to make
recommendations for a new board. That process commenced with a call to the
South African public to make nominations.

The nominees were all interviewed by the independent panel, which then
prepared a shortlist of candidates for submission to the Minister.

“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.

“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,” Minister Jordan
said.

“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.”

The names of the new Board Members are as follows:
• Adv. Brenda Madumise – a lawyer from Gauteng
• Mr Narvin Lakha – an experienced auditor from Gauteng
• Mr Z Bhengu – a human resource specialist from KwaZulu-Natal (KZN)
• Prof. David Bunn – an academic, researcher and policy analysts 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 veteran journalist, writer and educationist from North
West
• Ms Delicia Forbes – a theatre practitioner and an arts administrator from
Western Cape
• Mr Martin Schonberg – an internationally renowned choreographer, dancer and
arts administrator from Gauteng
• Mr Giep van Zyl – an arts administrator, organizer and activist from
Gauteng
• Mr Mduduzi Xakaza - a rural based cultural activist, arts administrator and
community leader from KZN
• Mr. Bongani Tembe – a well-known opera signer, arts administrator and
practitioner from KZN
• Mr K Thathiah – an academic, arts practitioner, policy analyst and arts
administrator from Gauteng.

The names of those who were recommended by the provinces are the
following:
• Ms Princess Bushula from Northern Cape
• Prof. PJN Zungu from KZN
• Mr Patrick Shai from Limpopo
• Ms Dirkie Offiringa from Gauteng
• Ms Motsilanyane Vera Khutsafalo from the North West
• Prof. BB Mkonto from Eastern Cape
• Ms Thoko Nogabe from the Free State
• Ms Moya Phosa from Mpumalanga
• Ms Celeste Matthews from Western Cape

The appointments come into effect from Tuesday, 1 August 2006.

For further information kindly contact Mr Sandile Memela
Cell: 082 800 3750

Premi Appalraju
Cell: 082 375 2939

Issued by: Ministry of Arts and Culture
1 August 2006
Source: Department of Arts and Culture (http://www.dac.gov.za)