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The Market Theatre Foundation is pleased to announce the appointment of Lekgetho Makola as the Head of the Market Photo Workshop. Makola previously worked as Manager for Programmes and Projects at the Market Photo Workshop. His appointment became official from the 01 February 2016.
The Photo Workshop as a division of the Market Theatre Foundation is a strategic developmental institute of the visual arts and gallery. Lekgetho will have the responsibility of achieving its objectives and vision as the institution grows in South Africa and the continent through various partnerships and projects.
Lekgetho began his career 17 years ago in the arts and brings a wealth of local and international experience in his new role. He is an artist, filmmaker and gallery manager and holds a MFA from Howard University, USA. He has worked for leading art institutions such as the Durban Art Gallery, the Museum Boijmans Van Beuningen (Rotterdam), Robben Island Museum and the Market Photo Workshop as Manager for Programmes and Projects 2013-2016.
Amongst his career highlights is being commissioned to design and produce a bronze sculpture for President Mandela in 1999 and being awarded the International Ford Foundation Fellowship on Social Justice while overseeing the Mayibuye archives at the Robben Island Museum in 2009.
“My vision is to see Market Photo Workshop’s Pan Africanist activities and programming impacting and expanding the photography practice and appreciation locally, nationally and continentally,” says Makola.
In its 26 years of existence, the Photo Workshop has seen thousands of students and practitioners going through its training and public programmes. And in this year, the Photo Workshop is about to embark on a very significant relocation to the new state of art photography programming facilities in Newtown, Mary Firtzgerald Square, that afford opportunities for innovative expanded programming. The opportunities include development of an Accredited National Diploma on critical photography that is inspired by the Continent and growth of the practice in the Continent. Also, realization of accreditation of the current two year – long courses.
In 2016 the Market Photo Workshop will be investing in alumni development and by creating platforms for further engagement for past students and practitioners by growing the public programmes and exhibitions.
“Now is the opportune and appropriate moment to begin the process of inviting the Alumni back to the Photo Workshop to see how these collaborations and partnerships can be fostered with a common vision of developing the photography disciple (intellectually), practice and industry in Africa.”
These programmes should enhance the growth of the industry by supporting the development of local economies within which Photographers are able to operate and practice as sustainable business professionals.