The Johannesburg Heritage Foundation (JHF) and Friends of the Johannesburg Art Gallery (FOJ) have noted the publication of several media reports regarding the very poor condition of the Johannesburg Art Gallery (JAG) and its important collection. We would like to take this opportunity to summarise the current situation from our perspective.
On 28 August 2024, after noting the ever-worsening deterioration of both the JAG art collection and the JAG building in Joubert Park, the JHF and FOJ jointly issued a legal letter to the City of Johannesburg (COJ). This letter, drawn up by Webber Wentzel, stressed the cultural significance of the JAG and demanded that the COJ fulfil its mandate of care with regards to JAG as specified in the deed of donation (which granted the JAG and its collection to the people of Johannesburg, with the COJ acting as custodian).
A meeting was subsequently held six weeks later, on 16 October 2024, to discuss the issues raised in the legal letter. Attendees included representatives of the JHF, FOJ, COJ Executive Mayor Dada Morero, MMC for Community Development Kabelo Gwamanda (since dismissed from his post), and the COJ Director of Arts, Culture and Heritage, Vuyisile Mshudulu. Three main issues were discussed:
The safety of the collection
The JAG building is riddled with leaks, mould and water damage caused by many years of poor maintenance and botched renovations by the city’s agencies and contractors. Consequently, the art collection is being stored improperly and sustaining damage every time it rains. At the meeting, the JHF and FOJ presented the COJ with a comprehensive plan to relocate the collection to a place of safety in Pretoria, restore and digitise the collection, and then return the collection to JAG when the building has been properly repaired. This operational plan includes funding, costings from suitable service providers, and can be initiated within days – all that is required is approval from the authorities.
The response from COJ was that they have their own plan (which appears to match the JHF/FOJ plan in many respects) and will handle the relocation themselves. To date, we have not received any details on who will fund or manage the COJ’s relocation plan, nor have we received any kind of timeline for implementation. Furthermore, the COJ wants to only relocate part of the collection and is waiting on the adjustment budget in January 2025 to see if funds are available. Following this, they would still need to issue a tender to appoint a service provider, meaning that the COJ’s relocation plan would likely only begin in about 6 months’ time (or longer). This lack of urgency on the part of the authorities does not bode well for the collection, especially considering the COJ’s poor track record, complicated bureaucracy, and lack of transparency.
It is unclear why the COJ refuses to engage with our plan as it will reduce strain on the city’s fiscus and avoids the need to wait for the January 2025 Budget announcement.
Restoration of the JAG building
Designed by Edwin Lutyens, the JAG building is an important heritage resource in its own right. Discussions were held regarding the extensive repairs that would be necessary to make the structure fit for purpose once more, and all parties agreed to find ways to work together. However, given the long history of incomplete or ineffective repairs initiated by the COJ and its agencies, it is our position that the restoration of the JAG building requires independent oversight and should run externally from the city’s opaque tender processes.
The main facade of the Lutyens building (The Heritage Portal)
Governance of JAG
Over the years, it has become clear that the governance structure of JAG needs to be revised to be more direct, effective and adaptable. At the moment, timely decision making is hindered by a complicated hierarchy of managers, directors, executives, and (improperly constituted) governing bodies. The COJ was reluctant to discuss any possible changes to the JAG’s governance structure.
After reaching something of an impasse, it was agreed to arrange a follow-up meeting with the Director of Arts, Culture and Heritage, Vuyisile Mshudulu. This took place four weeks later on November 14, 2024, and resulted in no material progress. The COJ has still not shared details of their relocation plan, only providing a vague report which appears to be a copy/paste of the JHF/FOJ plan apart from several adaptations that serve the city’s agenda and will only slow things down. At the conclusion of the meeting, further information was requested from Mr Mshudulu (including an up-to-date catalogue of the art collection) and follow-up meetings were planned. Despite the stalling, we remain committed to engaging with the COJ wherever possible. However, in the absence of any forward movement on the city’s part, we will continue to investigate the potential for additional legal action.
We have written to the Minister of Sports, Arts and Culture, Gayton McKenzie, requesting his input on this matter. And since parts of the collection have been inscribed as National Heritage Assets, we would also appreciate comment from the South African Heritage Resource Agency (SAHRA) as well as the Gauteng Department of Sports, Arts, Culture and Recreation. Tourism authorities may also wish to speak out as properly managed art galleries and museums can be major tourist attractions – something Joburg definitely needs.
We also note that the COJ Department of Community Development, which is responsible for Heritage, Galleries and Museums, is currently on its third MMC in six months (with the previous MMC now challenging his removal). This constant turn-over in the leadership and staff of Community Development removes any kind of continuity and destroys momentum. Nevertheless, we encourage the new MMC, Cllr. Tebogo Nkonkou, to make their voice heard.
View towards the Johannesburg Art Gallery (Bath Family Archive)
In conclusion
Johannesburg is now in the midst of its rainy season and each downpour brings the danger of further damage to both the JAG building and the collection it is supposed to 3 protect. It is nearly 3 months since the original legal letter was sent to the COJ and nothing concrete has been done to address the situation. This stasis cannot continue.
Finally, the JHF and FOJAG encourage the COJ to properly consider their custodial responsibility towards JAG. In the deed of donation, the collection was left to the people of Johannesburg, not the city council. It is time to look beyond politics and focus on what’s best for the JAG.
Blue Plaque (City of Johannesurg)
For more information, please contact mail@joburgheritage.org.za or friend@friendsofjag.org. For background and additional media links, click here.
Disclaimer: Any views expressed by individuals and organisations are their own and do not in any way represent the views of The Heritage Portal.