ARTdacity

the BMW Young Collectors was started in 2020 as a network for emerging collectors to learn more through the likes of Mandla Sibeko

an incredible art professional. I had the pleasure of joining Mandla and one of the collectors who was featured on the program

Veronique Savigne at her incredible house in Cape Town as we chatted about what collecting means.

This week on ARTdacity I spoke to Mandla Sibeko who is the person behind Joburg Art Fair as well as BMW Art Generation. He has also made a huge impact but his impact extends far beyond collection to also curating events that really help to highlight the significance of art and the lifestyle.

Benjamin Fueglister, co-founder of the newly launched Africa Basel chats to us about his ambitious new fair spotlighting contemporary African art during one of the world’s biggest art weeks. We explore the motivations behind its creation, the challenges African galleries face in global markets, and how this fair hopes to carve out a bold new space in Basel’s historic heart.

Marc Barben of Stevenson speaks about the gallery’s collective model, curating for Art Basel, and how a diverse team brings fresh energy to their programme. From historic works like a rare 1947 Ernest Mancoba to new pieces by Penny Siopis, Portia Zvavahera, and Simphiwe Ndzube, we unpack what’s heading to Basel—and how South African galleries are shaping the global art scene.

I speak with Liza Essers, owner of Goodman Gallery, about her remarkable journey from economics and film into the art world. We explore how she’s helped shape South Africa’s art ecosystem, taken African voices to the global stage, and what to expect from her booth at Art Basel this year—including works by El Anatsui, Shirin Neshat, and the next generation of African talent.

I sit down with Jonathan Garnham of blank projects, a trailblazing Cape Town gallery known for its focus on abstraction. We talk about his journey from artist to gallerist, the challenges of showing at Art Basel, and what it takes to put African art on the global stage.

We reflect on the impact of the late Koyo Kouoh, a towering figure in African contemporary art. We reflect on her legacy and how her passing reshaped the season’s direction. The episode also spotlights the 3 South African galleries who have achieved international success at Art Basel and who are showing again this year. We also speak one of the founders of Africa Basel, a new platform amplifying African voices in the global art scene.

Art fairs serve as a dynamic platform for showcasing emerging and established artists while fostering connections between collectors, galleries, and the public. The Cape Town Art Fair, the largest of its kind in Africa, is a vibrant hub where local and international artists converge. From the Tomorrow’s Today section championing young talent to internationally acclaimed booths, the fair provides visibility and growth opportunities for artists like Boemo Diale, last year’s winner, whose career has soared. Gallerists like Daudi Karungi from AfriArt emphasize the importance of curating globally resonant works, while artists like Charlene Komuntale interrogate themes of beauty and identity. Art fairs not only celebrate creativity but also make art more accessible, inviting audiences to engage, reflect, and invest in the evolving African art scene.

We’re at the opening of the Stellenbosch Triennale, a visionary exhibition curated by Khanyisile Mbongwa. With the theme Ba'zinzile: A Rehearsal for Breathing, the Triennale calls us to pause, reflect, and acknowledge history while engaging with powerful site-specific installations. From Manyaku’s kraal to Simphiwe’s thought-provoking structures, artists were challenged to create in the moment, breathing life into the landscape. We also speak to Ernestine Deane, who led a moving ceremony to welcome ancestors and embrace the land’s layered past. Join us as we explore how art can heal, provoke, and remind us to take a breath.

I’m joined by Zain Nazier, who leads the Norval Foundation’s education program, and Evaan Jason Ferreira, a Zeitz MOCAA UWC Fellowship alumni, both of whom are shaping the future of art accessibility. Zain shares how art became his lifeline, helping him navigate dyslexia and trauma, and how he now fosters creativity in young minds. Evaan reflects on the impact of the Zeitz MOCAA fellowship, opening doors for aspiring art professionals. From hands-on workshops to mobile museums, we discuss why art education is vital for self-expression, identity, and opportunity. Join us as we explore how investing in art education can empower the next generation of African artists and thinkers.