CAPE TOWN - Playwright, arts administrator and self-proclaimed “arts junkie” Ashraf Johaardien has been appointed executive producer of the National Arts Festival, newly created role aimed at taking South Africa's premier arts event boldly into the future.
Johaardien, who is head of arts and culture at the University of Johannesburg, has written, performed and produced work across the festival's Main, Fringe and Arena stages.
His first appearance at the festival was in the 1993 Fringe production “Suip!”. He has also headed the Arts and Culture Trust, and worked in theatres in Johannesburg and Cape Town.
“Ashraf brings a wealth of experience and integrity as a respected arts administrator to the festival team. We are delighted that he is joining us and bringing some fresh thinking, energy and vigour to our operations,” National Arts Festival chief executive Tony Lankester said.
“I'm confident that he will play a vital role as we interrogate and reflect on our role as a national festival, and as we strive to maintain the excellent artistic standard set by outgoing artistic director Ismail Mahomed over the past eight years.”
Johaardien said: “I am an arts junkie. Nothing gets my heart racing quite like an opening night at a theatre or gallery - largely because I have a deep appreciation of the myriad forces that must be brought together to breathe life into any show.
“The National Arts Festival has an unrivalled reputation as the leading continental showcase of local and international creativity. To be able play a meaningful part in that is truly amazing.”
Lankester said the position of executive producer had emerged as a necessary one as the role of the festival's artistic committee had been reshaped, giving it a greater curatorial role, following Mahomed's resignation earlier this year.
“Ashraf's blend of experience is a perfect match. While he has strong artistic sensibilities of his own, he also has the vision to forge partnerships and co-production agreements for the festival, navigating the complexities and challenges that characterise the South African arts sector.”
Commenting on aligning artistic and curatorial freedom with the strategic needs of donors, sponsors and partners, Johaardien said: “Stewarding and brokering partnerships that create deliberate value is a lot like interpretative dance: it requires equal parts art, aptitude and heart”.
He takes up the new position on September 1.
African News Agency (ANA)