SA: Poovi Pillay appointed ACT founding trustee rep

Pillay takes over from Tobie Badenhorst who implemented ACT’s 2021 strategy, which included pioneering arts education and cultural entrepreneurship programmes like the ACT Thuthukisani Programme and the ACT Nyoloha Scholarship Programme.

“We take great pleasure in announcing Poovi Pillay as the newest trustee of ACT representing Nedbank,” ACT CEO Jessica Denyschen said. “Poovi’s expertise aligns seamlessly with our vision of enabling practising artists and creators to achieve sustainable futures. At ACT, we are dedicated to eradicating local challenges in the arts sector, such as poverty, inequality, youth unemployment, mental health issues and lack of environmental consciousness by providing quality arts training, mentorship, development and investment, while also equipping artists with in-demand skills for a future work environment. With Poovi on board, we are confident that his expertise will be a valuable asset in turning this vision into a reality.”

Pillay brings a wealth of experience to ACT as the executive head of CSI at Nedbank. In this designation, he has played a pivotal role in driving sustainable socio-economic development in South Africa through strategic CSI initiatives. Notably, Pillay has been instrumental in the success of the Nedbank Green Economy CSI strategy, which seeks to foster employment, skills development and the growth of small-to-medium enterprises in key sectors such as agriculture, energy, water and waste. 

He has brought about positive change in local communities, including co-founding several public benefit organisations, including the Zevenfontein Education Fund, which has helped more than 7 000 children attend school and given 2 000 young people the opportunity to attend tertiary education.

“Nedbank’s purpose is to be financial experts who do good for individuals, families, businesses and communities,” Pillay said. “The ACT and Nedbank partnership plays an instrumental role in achieving this. I am honoured to be invited to join the ACT board, and I am particularly inspired by the current focus of our 30-year journey. The focus is on the training of arts and culture entrepreneurs and the growth of their businesses. This is most certainly the best direction for the sustainability of arts and culture in South Africa.”