I studied Fine Arts at the University of the Witwatersrand, where I also earned my Post Graduate Certificate in Education and a Master’s in Art History. With over 15 years in the creative and cultural industry, I began as a visual arts educator at the Oprah Winfrey Leadership Academy for Girls and then worked at Constitution Hill, curating exhibitions and cultural events for eight years. Currently, as Chief Curator at the James Hall Museum of Transport, I aim to transform public perceptions of heritage and culture in historical sites like museums.

Being the “first black female chief curator” at the museum wasn’t my goal, but I was excited by the opportunity to revitalize the space with contemporary art programs, making museums more relevant to youth. My passion is to shift the view of museums from static preservers of history to dynamic spaces that include contemporary voices and the social experiences of young people.

Lebogang Marishane is a South African social justice activist who has worked to advance development in African communities and increase civic engagement ¹ ². Marishane was also a mentor for the “Correcting the Record: Building Inclusive, Equitable and Engaged Societies One Narrative at a Time” project ². Some of Marishane’s other work includes: Working as the strategic support manager for the Constitution Hill Human Rights Festival; Supporting the development of a Sites of Conscience methodology to amplify marginalized voices and promote more inclusive public narratives.

Osmic Menoe is a key figure in South Africa’s hip-hop scene, renowned for his wide-ranging contributions. He founded and directs the Back to the City Festival, Africa’s largest hip-hop and street culture event in Johannesburg since 2007. Normally held on Freedom Day, it moved to October due to COVID-19. The festival draws over 20,000 attendees annually and features local and international hip-hop artists, including legends like Talib Kweli and Madlib.

Beyond the festival, Menoe established the South African Hip-hop Awards and the South African Hip-hop Museum in Newtown, Johannesburg. These initiatives celebrate and preserve the rich history of hip-hop in South Africa, educating and inspiring future generations.

Osmic Menoe’s commitment to hip-hop has made him a cultural custodian in South Africa, continually inspiring and uplifting the youth through music and art.

Sifiso Gcabashe, also known as House Of Rhythm, is a prominent figure in South Africa’s music and creative community with over 14 years of experience as a vinyl collector, DJ, podcaster, radio presenter, music researcher, and cultural curator. A Johannesburg native, he has become a leading music and event curator in South Africa, blending his roles as a marketing manager, brand strategist, and consultant in the creative arts. He has worked with major entities like Red Bull, Government Arts and Culture, City of Joburg, and international projects in Brazil, India, the US, the UK, Austria, Namibia, and Nigeria.

Sifiso is a passionate advocate for African music, prioritizing its preservation and storytelling through his radio show House of Rhythm on VOW FM, which has been syndicated internationally. His academic background in Archaeology and Anthropology from Wits University fuels his dedication to music archiving and using it as a tool for narrating African stories. Sifiso aims to preserve DJ culture in South Africa and believes in the power of African music to connect the continent with the rest of the world.

Vuyisile Mshudulu is the Director of Arts, Culture and Heritage in the City of Johannesburg. With an experience that span over 25 years in the Creative Industries. Mshudulu encompasses a wealth of experience and unique mix of expertise having worked in both the private and public sector.

His areas of expertise include policy development, promotion, and development of the Creative Industries. He has vast programme and project management experience in enterprise development and market access, both locally and internationally in the Creative Industries. Mshudulu is a specialist in cultural diplomacy and governance.