The Policy & Power Lab I

Opening with a provocation from Prof. Richard Haines on the global rise of cultural leadership, the session explores how institutional frameworks, creative practice, and political context intersect to influence who holds power in the cultural and creative industries. Speakers interrogate diverse themes — from institutional control and postcolonial identity, to the social and diplomatic roles of CCIs, to shifting ideological undercurrents within government policy. The conversation also reflects on the role of intermediaries, educators, and creative leaders in bridging the gap between policy intent and creative reality. Through these perspectives, Policy & Power Lab 1 opens a critical dialogue on how cultural governance can evolve to support autonomy, accountability, and creative freedom within Africa’s rapidly changing cultural landscape.

Convenor & opening presentation: Prof Richard Haines — Professor Emeritus, Department of Development Studies, School of Economics, Development & Tourism, Nelson Mandela University & Joint Chief Editor African Journal of Cultural Economy

The ‘Quiet Revolution’: The Rise and Development of Cultural Leadership 

Lightning Talks (10 min each) 

1. Tasmiya Chandlay — Architect & Lecturer, Department of Architecture, University of Johannesburg, South Africa

   MOTHERing the Nation: Institutional Power, the Mother Metaphor & South Africa’s Creative Futures

2. Amílcar Patel — Founder, Kamva Collective, South Africa

   CCIs Beyond Cash: Building Unity, Identity, And Global Influence

3. Gcinibandla Mtukela — Advisor to the Executive Mayor, Nelson Mandela Bay Municipality, South Africa

   Stellenbosch or Kwazakhele: Whither the ACH Policy vs Practice Train Under the GNU?

4. Dr Mphikeleli Mnguni — Former DSAC Researcher & Project Manager, South African Cultural Observatory

   Public Participation In Socio-economic Impact Assessment For The Revised White Paper On Arts, Culture And Heritage

Closing presentation: Avril Louise Joffe — UNESCO Chair in Cultural Entrepreneurship and Policy, University of the Witwatersrand, South Africa  & Omar Nagati — Architect & Co-Founder, Cluster, Egypt (V)

Intermediaries In The Cultural And Creative Economy: Evidence Of Excellence And Inclusion Or Indicator Of Cultural Policy Gap? 

Q&A