NFVF WELCOMES APPOINTMENT OF ARTS and CULTURE, DG, Themba Wakashe
Posted on 17 September 2007 at 09h10

Earlier last week, the Department of Arts and Culture, announced the appointment of a new Director General,Mr Themba Wakashe.

The National Film and Video Foundation (NFVF) was elated at this announcement and, CEO , Eddie Mbalo says, “The NFVF received with enthusiasm the announcement of the appointment of the new Director General, Mr. Themba Wakashe. We would like to congratulate Mr Wakashe on his new appointment and guarantee him support in his new role. We are confident that his appointment will be central to the ever growing arena of arts and culture in the country.

As the National Film and Video Foundation, we are excited with this appointment because we know for a fact that Mr. Wakashe is passionate about the arts and equally passionate about the development of Cinema in our country. We look forward to our future interaction with the Director General as we plan and strategise for programs that will guide us through the rapid growth and development phase of the South African film sector.”

Mr. Wakashe has extensive experience in the field of arts and culture and is the second Director-General since the Department became independent and autonomous in 2004. He succeeds Professor Itumeleng Mosala who served in the position for four years until March 2007.

Wakashe was appointed Chief Director for Arts, Culture and Heritage in the Department in 1996 where he was responsible for relations with bodies like UNESCO, SADC, EU and former OAU.

It was in recognition of his arts focus, discipline and hard work that he was appointed Deputy Director-General in 2001, a job that saw him champion policy development, strategic planning, and oversight of statutory bodies.

It was during his tenure as Deputy-Director General in 2005 that the UNESCO World Heritage Committee appointed him Chairperson for the year to lead the body in its 29th Session which took place in Durban. Under his Chairpersonship the Africa Heritage Fund was set up to assist countries on the continent to maintain World Heritage Sites.

Throughout his life and career, Wakashe has made arts and culture central to his passions. His conviction that arts and culture is an instrumental of national unity and economic self-reliance is what makes him a natural choice to the position of Director-General.