Working together

IN RESPONSE to the letter “Slave Days” by Bridget Thompson (September 24), I wish to remark on her “bewildering” experience with Iziko’s Education Department as cited in her letter.

It should be noted that many discussions were held with the director of African Cinema, Abdul Ahmed Said, who acknowledged the initial willingness of Iziko education department to be a partner in its project. However, after considerable thought the education department had to make a decision not to present the film festival at that particular point because of many factors which marked the 2010 period.

It is rather surprising that Thompson chooses to voice her “disappointment” publicly as she regularly engages with Iziko and enjoys the use of our facilities.

She is currently exhibiting her Ernest Mancoba Education Poster Project at one of our educational venues, viz the Iziko South African Gallery Annexe in collaboration with the education department.

Does this not demonstrate Iziko’s willingness to work with cultural organisations such as hers? Over the last few years we have formed educational partnerships with the Nelson Mandela Foundation, Lalela Project, Peace Ambassadors, British Council, Extra Mural Education Project, Cyan Development Project, Meaningful Access Project, Ort Tech and Khayelitsha museum to name just a few.

Finally, the Mancoba exhibition, which aims to address transformation needs for the visual arts, is entirely in keeping with Iziko’s willingness to respond to rich and relevant opportunities as eloquently presented by my colleague Lalou Meltzer in her article, “The remembrance of things past”. WAYNE ALEXANDER CAPE TOWN