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Six years after assuming the artistic directorship of the National Arts Festival, Rucera Seethal is parting ways with the entity. This might be a hard pill to swallow for patrons of the arts, but for Rucera, it means bigger and better things ahead as she is jetting off to Europe for her new role as South Africa's Arts & Culture Coordinator in Ireland.
Since joining the NAF in 2020, Rucera has been instrumental in the festival’s transition to its virtual edition during the COVID-19 pandemic. In addition to the festival’s curated programme, her responsibilities also included overseeing the Schools’ Programme. This developmental initiative gives an experiential residence to final-year school learners at the NAF.
Rucera appreciation
Former NAF CEO Monica Newton, who stepped down at the end of July, spoke very highly of Rucera in her exit interviews with media last month, saying she had been very instrumental in reshaping the festival during the turbulence that was Covid, and championing it from virtual back to live performances when the lockdown restrictions were lifted.
“It's been an absolute honour working with the Festival team, a group of people who bring everything they have and more to keep the organisation and programme together and moving forward. My tenure at the Festival has enabled a deeper engagement with the vast South African arts landscape, we have so much inspiration, hope, creative solutions to contribute to our fast evolving world,” Rucera said.
She reflected on how she had come from previous work focused on international and continental exchange when she first stepped into her NAF role, saying wherever she is placed, she remains determined to continue making a positive contribution.
The new NAF CEO Palesa Kadi said while the team is sorry to see Rucera leave, they sincerely appreciate her contribution to the programmatic arc of the festival these past six years.
"I'm quite sure her work with the Irish will also bring us into contact quite frequently and it's reassuring that we have such an experienced cultural professional in her new role - which is a positive signal of Ireland's creative interest in South Africa," Palesa added.
The artistic director role will be held by the Festival's Artistic Committee while NAF looks for the right candidate to take over the reigns.
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