Its first project was 'African Arts in Dialogue' on 23 September 2009, which saw journalists from Senegal, Cameroon, Ghana, Zimbabwe, Ethiopia, Kenya, Uganda and South Africa come together to discuss how to get African arts into the mainstream media spotlight.
Known as the JT Comms African Media Resource Centre of Excellence, it was officially launched over the weekend of 26-27 September with artists including Sibongile Khumalo, Lebo Mashile, Gcina Mhlophe and Nicky Blumenfeld providing entertainment.
Speaking at the launch, dean of Wits University's Faculty of Humanities, Professor Tawana Kupe said, “The centre is a creative, imaginative and totally innovative hub, just what media and arts on the continent needs.”
Vanessa Perumal, co-owner of JT Communications, says being able to launch the centre is a dream come true. She envisages this self-funded project evolving into an important content hub where artists, journalists and businesspeople can interact, network, hold workshops, conduct research and brainstorm projects.
“For years I have had this vision of a physical space that provides a venue for media to engage with a broad cross-section of sectors and finally it is a reality,” Perumal explains. “Most of my work has been in the cultural industries and I am passionate about what the industry has to offer the world.”
As part of its launch, the company is offering media tours to the centre. Contact Tselane Moleba +27 (0)11 788 7631/2 for more details.
