Solutions to Restoring the Johannesburg Art Gallery to its Former Glory - Part 5


By Lindelwa Masuku

The neglect of art spaces in townships in South Africa is a complex issue rooted in the country's history and ongoing systemic inequalities. 

During the apartheid era, townships were often viewed as spaces of poverty and segregation, with limited resources and opportunities for cultural expression. 

This legacy of neglect has persisted in the post-apartheid era, with many townships still facing a lack of investment and resources for the arts and cultural sector.

Additionally, the apartheid-era policies of urbanization and forced removal of people from their homes to townships created cultural displacement and limited opportunities for cultural expression. 

This has contributed to a lack of cultural infrastructure and resources in townships, and a general neglect of the arts and cultural heritage of these communities.

However, despite these challenges, the townships of South Africa have been the birthplace of some of the most vibrant and innovative cultural movements in the country. 

The Johannesburg Art Gallery, established in 1910, is one of the oldest cultural institutions in South Africa and is renowned for its collections of South African art, including works by leading black artists such as Gerard Sekoto and Jane Alexander. 

Despite facing a lack of funding and limited resources, the Johannesburg Art Gallery remains an important cultural landmark and a symbol of the resilience and creativity of the people of Johannesburg’s townships.

The Eyethu Cinema, located in Soweto, is another example of the cultural vitality of South Africa’s townships. The Eyethu Cinema is the first community-owned cinema in the country and was established in response to the limited cultural infrastructure in Soweto. 

The cinema was once a hub for cultural expression and has helped to foster a sense of community and pride among Soweto’s residents. Despite facing challenges such as limited funding and a lack of access to new films, the Eyethu Cinema remains a vital cultural center in Soweto.

Other art and cultural centers in townships such as the Robben Island Museum, the Association for the Advancement of Visual Arts (AVA), and the Market Theater have been similarly affected by the lack of investment and resources for the arts and cultural sector in post-apartheid South Africa. 

Despite these challenges, these cultural institutions continue to play an important role in promoting cultural expression, preserving cultural heritage, and fostering a sense of community in South Africa’s townships.

The townships of South Africa continue to face significant challenges in terms of cultural expression and the development of cultural infrastructure. However, despite these obstacles, the people of these communities have been able to create vibrant cultural movements and establish important cultural institutions such as the Johannesburg Art Gallery, the Eyethu Cinema, and others. 

These institutions serve as a testament to the resilience and creativity of the people of South Africa’s townships, and the vital role that culture plays in the ongoing struggle for justice, equality, and human dignity.

Furthermore, the lack of investment and resources in the arts and cultural sector in townships has also contributed to a lack of skills and expertise in this area, which has in turn further perpetuated the neglect of these spaces. 

This lack of investment has also meant that many cultural spaces in townships have been left to deteriorate, with limited resources available to repair and maintain these important cultural landmarks.

The neglect of art spaces in townships in South Africa is a reflection of broader systemic inequalities and a legacy of apartheid-era policies and neglect. 

To address this issue, it is necessary to invest in the arts and cultural sector in townships and to support the development of skills and expertise in this area. 

It is also necessary to work towards creating cultural spaces that are accessible and inclusive for all, and that celebrate the cultural heritage and diversity of South Africa's communities.

Continue the journey with us on our 8 part article series. We look into the concrete steps the Art and Culture Department can take to bring life back to art centres in the townships. 

Join us again at 4pm CAT. 

Article Tags

Johannesburg Art Gallery

Eyethu Cinema

Department of Arts & Culture

Cancel

    Most Read