South Africa’s NAC seals landmark arts partnership with Ghana’s Black Star Experience
The National Arts Council of South Africa (NAC) has entered into a groundbreaking partnership with Ghana’s Black Star Experience (BSE), a move set to strengthen cultural ties and expand opportunities for artists across the continent.
The official signing of the Memorandum of Understanding is scheduled for Thursday, August 28, 2025, in Johannesburg, where NAC interim CEO Lebogang Mogoera will host BSE coordinator and Ghanaian presidential staffer Rex Owusu Marfo.
The agreement will see the two nations collaborate in key areas such as artist residencies, cultural exchange programmes, heritage preservation, training, arts education, and joint research initiatives.
Mogoera hailed the partnership as a turning point for the creative sector, saying, “This partnership represents a significant milestone. Two African giants join hands to advance the development of the arts and culture sectors in both nations. It will unlock new opportunities for artists, broaden cultural exchange, and strengthen collaboration across the continent.”
NAC Council Chairperson Eugene Botha echoed this sentiment, calling it the dawn of a new era.
“This partnership marks the beginning of a new era. It inspires us to lead with purpose and to collaborate more effectively for the mutual benefit of both countries,” he said.
From Ghana’s side, Marfo stressed the importance of such initiatives in shaping the future of African creativity.
“I am confident this agreement will open new doors of cooperation. Collaborations like this are paramount to the success of artistic expression and the growth of our cultural sectors,” he explained.
The Black Star Experience, operating under the Ghanaian Presidency, showcases the nation’s cultural heritage to both local and international audiences.
The NAC, South Africa’s biggest arts and culture funding body, continues to support creative disciplines ranging from theatre, dance, and music to craft, literature, and visual arts.
Together, the two institutions aim to push the boundaries of African arts on a global stage.
