Published August 04, 2022
It is with pleasure that the
Javett Art Centre at the University of Pretoria (Javett-UP) announces the
appointment of Isaac Shongwe as the new chairperson of the Arts Centre
Foundation board of trustees. Shongwe
succeeds attorney Ed Southey who stepped down after
serving for over two years as chairperson of the Foundation.
Shongwe is the founder and chairman of Letsema. He was, until 2014, an Executive Director of Barloworld Limited, prior to which he was the CEO of Barloworld Logistics, a subsidiary of Barloworld with global operations. He is a co-founder of the African Leadership Initiative (part of the Aspen Global Leadership Network), founder of the Young African Leaders Initiative and is chairman of the Wits Business School Advisory Board. He was appointed to the Arts Centre Foundation board of trustees in 2020.
"It has been a great privilege to have served as a trustee of the Arts Centre Foundation, and as its chairperson, for the last two and a half years. It has been a turbulent time – no one could have foreseen that within six months of its launch in September 2019, Covid would force the Javett-UP to close its doors and that it would be compelled to operate on a stop-start basis for another two years. Despite these difficulties the Javett-UP has made remarkable strides in achieving its objectives of promoting the arts in society, and it is greatly to the credit of management and staff that they have managed to hold things together in these difficult circumstances. I am delighted that Isaac Shongwe has agreed to assume the office of chairperson where he will be able to apply his leadership skills in taking the Javett-UP forward” said Southey, outgoing chairperson of the Foundation.
Shongwe was educated at Wesleyan University, in Connecticut USA and Oxford University in the UK, where he studied as a Rhodes Scholar and obtained an M.Phil. in Management Studies from Christ Church. He fosters the firm belief in business as a catalyst for social change and over time has established and committed himself to a number of initiatives focused on the development of values-based leaders throughout the African continent. Shongwe has a passion for the arts. He is an art collector and currently serves as the chairperson of the auction house, Aspire.
Lekgetho Makola, CEO of Javett-UP, stated that the appointment continues to herald the assertion that Javett-UP is led by dynamic practitioners and esteemed leaders of industries committed to contributing to the future looking at Africa’s developmental agendas. In that, acknowledging the critical role and importance of the creative industries as the catalyst in these processes.
“Javett-UP aims to make the art accessible, relevant and engaging. Researching African art practices lies at the very heart of the work of the Javett-UP. The Centre aims to set new benchmarks in art curation, conservation and education. The fact that the Javett-UP is part of UP’s research, teaching and learning resource means that this is a place not only for enjoying art but for learning and researching about it too. This Centre, therefore, supports our academic programmes and enables the development of creative, flexible, adaptable minds with the emotional and intellectual intelligence to thrive in the in changing society. To have Isaac Shongwe chair one of our transdisciplinary platforms reinforces the important role Javett-UP is playing in the advancement of the UP strategy to be an impactful institution that delivers transformative futures and a better life for all,” said Professor Tawana Kupe, Vice-Chancellor and Principal of the University of Pretoria.
The Arts Centre Foundation board of trustees governs Javett-UP. Currently serving on the board are Dr Leigh Bregman, Professor Vasu Reddy, Michelle Constant, Dr Prakhesh Desai, Michael Javett (Founding Trustee Emeritus), Catherine Kennedy, Ed Southey, Alexia Walker and Professor Caroline Nicholson.
About The Javett Art Centre at
the University of Pretoria (Javett-UP)
The Javett-UP is a space that enhances unique and exceptional transdisciplinary learning through the arts. We engage diverse publics in exploring the human condition and reimagining our futures.
The Javett-UP is a partnership between the University of Pretoria and the Javett Foundation. Both share a firm belief in the value of the arts for society in general and education. It’s a project that is collegiate as it is philanthropic. With one foot firmly rooted in academia, and the other embedded in the public, Javett-UP aims to make the art of Africa accessible, relevant and engaging.
Researching African art practices lies at the very heart of the work of the Javett-UP. We aim to set new benchmarks in art curation, conservation and education. The fact that the Javett-UP is part of the University of Pretoria’s research, teaching and learning resource means that this is a place not only for enjoying art but for learning about it, too. At the Javett-UP, learning and enjoying are two sides of the same coin. Both are valued, and both are encouraged.
For more information go to www.javettup.art
Should you wish to book in
advance, don’t hesitate to contact bookings@javettup.com or click here to purchase your ticket
Standard Opening Times: 10 am – 5
pm | Tuesday to Sunday with the last admission at 4 pm