The Javett-UP is an exceptional centre that enhances learning through transdisciplinary journeys in the arts. We engage diverse publics through creativity, in exploring the human condition, and re-imagining our futures.

Together with our stakeholders, we shall contribute to positive and lasting change within our country and the rest of the continent of Africa by providing a creative enquiry led platform to engage diverse publics in exploring the human condition. We strive to offer an impactful transdisciplinary art and cultural heritage experience that enriches wellness, research, learning and teaching, empowering individuals to become self-sufficient, advocate for their rights and create a better future for themselves and their communities. We are committed to collaborating with myriad communities of practice to grow strong and sustainable relationships between society and academia.

• International Council of Museums (ICOM)
• South African Museums Association (SAMA)
• Visual Arts Network of South Africa (VANSA)
• Tshwane Tourism Association (TTA)
• The National Institute for the Humanities and Social Sciences (NIHSS)

The nine trustees of the Javett Art Centre Foundation comprise the body that governs the art centre. As a collective, they hold great depth of skill, experience and insight, not only into the art of Africa, but also into managing the business and ensuring inclusivity and diversity remain central to Javett-UP and its work.

Javett-UP aims to grow the creativity that epitomises the continent through permanent and temporary exhibitions, multidisciplinary events and performances, and extensive research and educational initiatives. With one foot firmly rooted in academia, and the other embedded in the community, Javett-UP and its board of trustees work to make the art of Africa accessible, relevant and engaging.

Here are short profiles of the current list of trustees:

Mr Isaac Shongwe (Chairperson)

• • Isaac Shongwe is a founder and chairman of Letsema. He was also an executive director at Barloworld. He is a co-founder of the African Leadership Initiative (part of the Aspen Global Leadership Network) and founder of the Young African Leaders Initiative, and is chairman of the Wits Business School Advisory Board. He was educated at Wesleyan University (Connecticut, United States) and Oxford University, where he obtained an MPhil in Management Studies.

  Professor Caroline Nicholson

  • Prof Caroline Nicholson completed a BProc and an LLB degree at Wits University before serving her articles of clerkship at Chernin’s in Hyde Park, Johannesburg. She is an admitted attorney and Notary Public. Prof Nicholson then took up a position as a lecturer at the University of South Africa, where she remained for 12 years, during which she progressed from lecturer to senior lecturer, completed her LLM and her LLD degrees and was a founding contributor to the Diploma in Gender Law. In 1999, Prof Nicholson moved to the University of Pretoria Faculty of Law, where she remained for 15 years. At UP, Prof Nicholson progressed to full Professor and Head of Department. She completed training as a family mediator and also completed a Postgraduate Diploma in Alternative Dispute Resolution. In 2014 Prof Nicholson took up the position of Dean of Law at the University of the Free State (UFS) in Bloemfontein where she was a co-founder of the Free State Centre for Human Rights. She also served two terms as an Acting Judge in the High Court, Free State Division. Prof Nicholson was appointed Registrar at the University of Pretoria on 1 January 2018.
• Professor Loretta Feris
• Professor Avitha Sooful
• Dr Antony Melck
• Ms Catherin Kennedy
  • • Catherine Kennedy has been a civil society consultant to the Javett Foundation since 2018. She’s a part-time manager of the Constitutional Court Trust and has been a programme specialist to the United Nations Development Programme in Iraq. She also served (from 2009 to 2016) as director at the South African History Archive. She holds bachelor’s and master’s degrees in information and library science (University of Cape Town) and a University of KwaZulu-Natal Bachelor of Arts degree.
  • Ms Michelle Constant
    • Michelle Constant is a well-known media personality (regularly writing opinion pieces for print and digital media and hosting the SAfm weekend breakfast show). She is a former CEO of Business and Arts South Africa; a recipient of the Chevalier dans l’Ordre des Arts et des Lettres (honour of Knight of the Order of Arts and Letters) from the French government (for her work in culture and the arts); a non-executive director of South African Tourism and the National Arts Festival; and a MPhil student in strategy (at the University of Pretoria’s Gordon Institute of Business Science). She believes her purpose and passion lie in promoting the creativity of South Africa.
  • Dr Leigh Bregman
  • Ms Alexia Walker

  Edward Montagu Southey

  • Edward Montagu Southey was educated at St Andrew’s College in Grahamstown and at the University of Cape Town, where he was awarded the BA and LLB degrees. He commenced service under articles at Webber Wentzel in September 1965, was admitted as an attorney, notary and conveyancer in 1967 and became a partner of Webber Wentzel in 1970.

  He remained a partner of the firm until reaching retirement age in 2007 (the last five years as senior partner) and remained as an active consultant of the firm until retiring from the attorneys profession in 2023. Mr Southey was a member of the Council of the Law Society of the Northern Provinces from 1980 until 1995, serving two terms as president, and was also president of the Law Society of South Africa. In 1993 he received the award for meritorious service to the attorneys profession by the Association of Law Societies. He also served as an elected member of the Council of the Section on Business Law of the International Bar Association. Mr Southey currently serves on the boards of directors of various companies and as a trustee of charitable, educational and family trusts.

Our Javett- Up partners