Pro Helvetia Johannesburg appoints Eduardo Cachucho as new head

Cachucho, who takes over from Joseph Gaylard, is a prominent Johannesburg-based creative practitioner, who brings over a decade of experience in the creative industry across South Africa, the broader African continent, and internationally.

In his new role, Cachucho aims to collaborate closely with Pro Helvetia Johannesburg’s seasoned team to deepen cultural exchanges between Southern, Eastern, and Western Africa and Switzerland. He envisions leveraging his expertise to introduce fresh initiatives that will enhance Pro Helvetia’s mission of fostering meaningful artistic dialogue and innovation.

Cachucho recently concluded his third year as the creative director of the Fak’ugesi African Digital Innovation Festival, where he spearheaded ground-breaking initiatives such as the Fak’ugesi Awards, Digital Lab Africa Bootcamp, and Queer Catalyst. His innovative leadership has cemented Fak’ugesi as a hub for digital creativity and cultural exchange in Africa.

Holding degrees in Architecture from Wits University and Fine Art from the Dutch Art Institute, Cachucho blends systematic and creative problem-solving approaches to address challenges in art, digital innovation, and cultural collaboration. His multidisciplinary expertise has shaped his career, including his pivotal role in developing flagship British Council programmes such as ColabNowNow and the International Collaboration Grant, which have fostered pan-African and international partnerships in the arts.

As an artist and performer, Cachucho has participated in residencies in Japan, Italy, and Brazil, with his work showcased at prestigious venues such as the Venice Architecture Biennale, South Africa’s Centre for the Less Good Idea, and the Institute for Creative Arts.

Pro Helvetia Johannesburg operates as a key cultural bridge, supporting artistic creation, research, and exchange within the African continent and with Switzerland. Cachucho’s appointment marks an exciting new chapter for the organisation.