PRESENTING SPONSORS
STRATEGIC PARTNERS
PRODUCING PARTNERS
Eastern Cape Provincial Arts and Culture Council
Durban Playhouse
Festival Enterprise Catalyst (FEC
Here & Now – Performance Created in England
JOMBA! Contemporary Dance Experience
Kingdom of the Netherlands
The Centre for the Less Good Idea
Mandela Bay Theatre Complex
Moving into Dance Mophatong
National Arts Council
The Playhouse Theatre
The Society, Work and Politics Institute, WITS
The Market Theatre
Artscape
WITH GRATEFUL THANKS TO
Albany & Bathurst Engineering
Albany Museum Group
Cadar Printers
Churches of Grahamstown
DALRO
Devlabs
Electrosonic South Africa
Eyesizwe Mining Development Foundation
Film and Publication Board
Grahamstown Hospitality Guild
Horizon
Line Out
Makana Tourism
Members of the South African and International Media
Pro Helvetia, The Swiss Arts Council
Rhodes University Drama Department
South African Music Rights Organisation (SAMRO)
South African Police Service
Standard Bank for loan of computers
Standard Bank Gallery
World Fringe
The Managements, Presenting Companies, Galleries, Artists and Technical Staff whose talent, professionalism and creativity make the Festival a pleasure to produce, and an amazing 11 days for our audiences to experience.
The Schools and Colleges of Makhanda:
Carinus Arts Centre, Diocesan School for Girls, Graeme College, Kingswood College, Nombulelo Secondary School, Ntsika Secondary School, Khutliso Daniels Secondary School, P J Olivier Hoërskool, St Andrew’s College, St Andrew’s Preparatory, Victoria Girls’ High School and Victoria Preparatory School.
The Citizens of Makhanda for their hospitality, support and encouragement.
NATIONAL ARTS FESTIVAL TEAM
Monica Newton (CEO)
Nobesuthu Rayi (Partnerships and Stakeholder Relations)
Rucera Seethal (Artistic Director)
Nicci Spalding (Technical Director)
Zikhona Nweba-Monaheng (Associate Producer)
Nqobile Mbhele (Associate Producer)
Akhona Daweti (Box Office Manager)
Charl van Deventer (Finance Manager)
Clarissa Carolus (Village Green Administrator Manager)
Nazo Kweta (Finance Assistant)
Danielle Wessels (Receptionist and Social Secretary)
Lumka Klaas (Administration Office)
Brendon Wessels (Workshop Foreman)
Sikhumbuzo Vena (Reception)
David Alam (Driver)
Solly Thaane (Theatre and Facilities Manager)
Siviwe Qhude (Stage Technician)
Ayabulela Mpumlo (Stage Technician)
Mbuyiseli Dyaloyi (General Assistant)
Luzuko Gxasheka (ICT Assistant)
Sive Ranana (General Assistant)
Anele Panca (General Assistant)
Caroline Mpofu (Kitchen Supervisor)
Abby Thatcher (Production Manager)
Benjamin Mills (Production Manager)
Jim O’Gorman (Stores Manager)
Malibongwe Meltafa (Crew Chief)
Tembinkosi Busakwe (Stores Assistant)
Nonthuthuzelo Xaba (Technical Office Administrator)
Zanele Meth (Production Assistant)
Media Team
Sascha Polkey (Media Relations | Rabbit in a Hat)
Zizipho Bam (Media Relations | Rabbit in a Hat)
Ranique Roberts (Social Media)
Mark Wessels (Photographer)
Cracker Jack (Digital Advertising)
Litha Mpiyakhe (Design | Keinetik Media)
Ludwe Mpiyakhe (Design | Keinetik Media)
Breinstorm Brand Architects (Rebrand and Design)
Festival Website
The Festival Website is built and maintained by Devlabs
Frankie Murrey (Copy Editor)
Board of Directors
Professor Siphiwo Mahala (Chairperson)
Mr Sikkie Kajee
Ms Annabell Lebethe
Dr Hleze Kunju
Dr Sizwe Mabizela
Mr Mandla Mbothwe
Ms Michelle Constant
Ms Nomkhitha Gysman
Advocate Tembinkosi Bonakele
Mr Tony Lankester
Mr Robert Grace
Professor Kenneth Ngcoza
Mr Keith Ngesi
Ms Monica Newton (CEO)
Our sincerest thanks also to retired board members:
Grahame Lindop (retired 2020)
Albie Sachs (retired 2020)
Paul Bannister (retired 2021)
Elinor Sisulu (retired 2022)
Ayanda Mjekula (retired 2022)
Professor Jay Pather (retired 2023)
National Arts Festival Artistic Committee 2025
Vulindlela Nyoni
Caroline Calburn
Monaheng Motshabi
Gaby Saranouffi
IKS Cultural Consulting
Rucera Seethal
Sponsors’ Representatives
Pragasen Chetty (Eastern Cape Department of Sports, Recreation, Arts & Culture)
Dianne Graney (Standard Bank)
