Praise as Mkiva is appointed to head National Arts Council
PRAISE poet Zolani Mkiva has been appointed as the interim chief executive of the National Arts Council of SA.
This is after the current chief executive Rosemary Mangope was placed on special leave to face disciplinary charges following an investigation instituted at the Department of Arts and Culture by accounting firm SizweNtsalubaGobodo.
The council announced its decision yesterday to appoint Mkiva, who is a board member. His appointment becomes effective from September 25.
“On behalf of the board, I would like to thank Mkiva for stepping up and showing willingness to assist us at this time of transition,” said the council’s board chairperson, Hartley Ngoato.
Mkiva is a cultural activist and comes from a family of oral traditional poets and regiments of African royalty.
The praise singer holds a BA in social science and Honours in developmental studies from the University of the Western Cape as well as a degree in finance management from the University of Cape Town’s Graduate School of Business.
Mkiva said he was humbled to be appointed to the post. “The arts play a critical role in advancing social cohesion, and it is incumbent on the National Arts Council to develop and promote our artists,” he said.
The Gobodo report recommended that the council took disciplinary action against Mangope.