SA: BASA appoints new leadership

Motloba takes over from Charmaine Soobramoney who stepped down at the BASA annual general meeting in September after serving as chairperson for the past four years. Lawler replaces Mandie van der Spuy who retired from the BASA Board after joining the organisation 12 years ago.

The BASA Board comprises 12 non-executive directors and one executive director, all of whom contribute to the overall success, governance and compliance of the organisation. Other board members include CEO Ashraf Johaardien, Devi Sankaree Govender, Kathy Berman, Khanyi Mamba, Kojo Baffoe, Makgati Molebatsi, Mirna Wessels, Msimeki Nkatingi, Yacoob Abba Omar and Unathi Malunga.

“BASA has been, and continues to be, led by an outstanding team of deeply committed, passionate and compassionate individuals who pour their heart and soul into everything they do,” Motloba said. “I am blessed to be associated with them and the work they do.”

Johaardien commended Soobramoney and Van der Spuy for their dedication at BASA.

“Charmaine has been a shining light, leading the board with tenacity, wisdom, resilience and peerless grace,” he said. “Mandie is a South African arts icon and her impact on both the creative sector and BASA will remain indelible well beyond her tenure. It has truly been a privilege working alongside them both.

“Mindful and intentional director rotation is, however, essential for developing and maintaining strong corporate governance practices and I look forward to working closely with Zingisa and Hilton in this next chapter to ensure that BASA continues to make a positive impact on all our stakeholders. I warmly welcome and congratulate them both.”

Motloba is an admitted attorney and the founder and managing director of an environmental, social and governance consulting firm called Alchemy Africa. She has an MBA degree and has served as a senior legal executive and company secretary at a number of public and private sector organisations.

Lawler’s passion for the arts goes back to 2008 when he helped arts agencies such as Shwe Shwe Poppies, the Arts and Culture Trust, Moving into Dance, Assemblage and the Origins Museum to become more business-oriented and strategic in their thinking. He is a business strategy consultant who specialises in marketing strategy and mentorship. He won the BASA Mentorship Award in 2009 and 2012. As an MBA graduate, he has diverse experience in several geographies like Europe, South America, and Central and Eastern Africa, and a range of skills including facilitation, moderation and skills development across various industries such as the arts, fast-moving consumer goods, incubators and property technology.