Iziko Museums of South Africa is a national museum conglomerate based in Cape Town which controls, amongst others, the SA National Gallery, Slave Lodge and SA Museum. They report via an independent board to the National Department of Arts and Culture.
They have recently employed Riason Naidoo into head of art collections, replacing Marilyn Martin who was in the position for a number of years. Riason’s first major output is the recently opened rehang of the entire museum entitled from Pierneef to Gugulective 1910 – 2010. It is an ambitious, but incredible, exhibition with the best of SA artists displayed – just in time for the soccer world cup. Many pieces came from collections outside of the city, adding real value to the existing collection. It’s well worth a visit.
Another big piece of news is that Iziko has a new Chief Executive Officer. Ms Rooksana Omar has been appointed in a designate position. Ms Omar will join Iziko from 1 May 2010 and will work together with outgoing CEO Professor HC (Jatti) Bredekamp for several months as she prepares for her new role.
Ms Omar holds an MBA and BA (Hons) degree and is currently the Director of the Luthuli Museum, a National Cultural Institution in KwaZulu Natal. In this capacity, she has provided leadership on both a strategic and operational level, successfully delivering a relevant and dynamic programme whilst ensuring strong governance, compliance and unqualified audits.
Ms Omar previously worked in senior leadership roles as the Acting Director of the eThekwini Heritage Department and Director of the Local History Museums, Durban. She is the past President of the SAMA (South African Museums Association), serves as a member of ICOM (International Council of Museums) South Africa’s Executive Board, is currently the 2nd Vice President of the Commonwealth Association of Museums and has proven skills, expertise and knowledge, acquired through extensive and diverse experience working in the Heritage Sector for 29 years, since 1981.
Ms Omar issued this statement following the announcement of her appointment: “I am honoured to be appointed in the leadership capacity as CEO (Designate) of the Iziko Museums of Cape Town, one of the two national flagship museums of the Republic of South Africa. This position will allow me to continue to strategically and professionally position the Iziko Museums as a national, continental and international role-player in the museum sector. I see myself affirming current partners and leveraging new partnerships to entrench the value of the Iziko Museums using my leadership, vision, professional strengths and networks. I want to create a responsive, positive institution through long-term sustainable and well managed resources, public programmes, exhibitions and research to enhance the participatory experiences of Iziko’s stakeholders.”
