SA: Im4theArts leadership holds first in-person meeting

The organisation made headlines in March when local creatives, led by its president Sibongile Mngoma, staged a sit-in protest at the National Arts Council of South Africa offices in Johannesburg. The artists argued that there was corruption and lack of transparency in the allocation of the R300m Presidential Employment Stimulus Programme.

The recent meeting was attended by Mngoma, chairperson Karabo Kgokong, deputy chairperson Yvette Hardie, national secretary Thami Mbongo and treasurer Hedwig Barry. They were joined by Bridget van Oerle, Lalu Mokuku, Lucky Cele, Nontsokolo Mhlotshana and Im4theArts provincial coordinators, who gave feedback about the organisation’s work across South Africa.

“Im4theArts national leadership and provincial coordinators are excited about the outcomes of this three-day meeting and look forward to engaging with our members as we continue to build the Im4theArts movement,” the organisation said. “One of the important discoveries that we made together as a team is that we want to use the languages of the arts themselves in the way that we work together as a committee and as an organisation. We believe in the fundamental power of the arts to empower, transform and capacitate, and we wish to use this power in the way that we engage.”

Some of the topics that were discussed at the meeting included exploring a common vision and values, the roles and capacities of those in the team, a membership drive, and creative and accessible means of communication on a provincial and national level.

Speaking to Music In Africa, Mngoma said Im4theArts was committed “to advocate for artists’ rights, lobbying support for the arts and driving change in terms of policy and education.”

“The vision and mission of Im4theArts is to achieve a healthy environment for artists and ensure that artists and the arts are thriving,” she said. “The biggest inspiration for Im4theArts are the artists themselves.”

Read more about Im4theArts here.