SA: BASA CEO Ashraf Johaardien steps down after vote of no confidence

According to a statement, the BASA board expressed a lack of confidence in Johaardien’s leadership and launched an internal review of the organisation’s operations. The current BASA board comprises Kathryn Leigh Berman, Lindiwe Letwaba, Unathi Malunga, Simon Camerer, Nizenande Machi, Lakin Morgan Baaitjies, Zingisa Motloba, Msimeki Nkatingi and Phumza Rengqe. 

The reasons behind the board’s decision are unclear. However, the board accepted Johaardien’s resignation and appointed Aviwe Matandela, the current finance and operations manager, as the acting CEO to lead BASA during this transition period to ensure “stability and continuity as BASA navigates this transitional phase. All ongoing projects and BASA activities will continue unabated.”

The board said it would initiate a process to find a successor and that BASA remained committed to its mission of forging mutually beneficial partnerships between business and the arts, driving a sustainable, vibrant cultural landscape across South Africa.

“We believe that this change, though significant, provides an opportunity for growth, renewal, and continued impact within the arts community,” the board said. “BASA will continue to engage with our partners and stakeholders to ensure that BASA’s values of transparency, accountability, and creative collaboration are upheld throughout this process. Further updates will be communicated as they become available.”

Speaking to Music In Africa, BASA board chairperson Zingisa Motloba said: “The vote of no confidence in the CEO was issued by the board due to concerns about his ability to effectively fulfill his responsibilities.”

Johaardien, 50, joined BASA in March 2019 and has worked as a seasoned arts professional with a diverse career spanning multiple disciplines. He has held leadership positions at prominent South African cultural and academic institutions, including Iziko Museums, the Baxter Theatre Centre, and the Arts & Culture Trust. Additionally, he served as executive producer of the National Arts Festival and Cape Town Fringe from 2016 to 2019.