“I am joining The State Theatre at a time when it is already receiving recognition for its dynamic artistic programme, which deals robustly with the realities of the new South Africa,” he says. “The numerous nominations and awards at the 2015 Naledi Awards demonstrate that the theatre has become an important part of the transforming arts sector.”

Mkhize is a heavyweight in the arts, culture and heritage sector. Not only is he the former CEO of the Market Theatre Foundation in Johannesburg and chief director of Cultural Affairs at the Gauteng Department of Sport, Arts, Culture and Recreation, he also spent five years as the CEO of the landmark Robben Island Museum before joining The State Theatre. He was, in fact, largely responsible for turning the museum into a resounding success. “I believe that Council appointed me because of my track record in turning around cultural institutions, particularly, my ability to strengthen good governance,” he comments.

Born in 1971 in Impendle, KwaZulu-Natal, Mkhize attended primary school in the community. He then received his secondary and tertiary education in Pietermaritzburg. He obtained his Master of Arts degree in History from the University of Natal (now University of KwaZulu-Natal) and also holds a Doctor of Philosophy (PhD) degree from the University of the Witwatersrand, which he obtained as recently as last year.

His very first job was in the heritage sector where he worked as a researcher at the Natal Museum from 1997 to 1999. He continued his work in research when he moved on to the Local History Museums in Durban from 1999 to 2002 – he was later promoted to acting director there. It was this experience which gained him his appointment as director of the Voortrekker and Ncome Museums later in 2002. “It was my responsibility to turn these museums around and transform them so they could meet the challenges of the 21st century,” says Mkhize. Two years later he was appointed CEO of the Market Theatre Foundation.

From his tertiary life as a student to his first job and still today, Mkhize has remained passionately loyal to the arts and culture scene. He has been a member of various arts, culture, heritage and history associations like the South African Historical Society (SAHS); the South African Museums Association (SAMA); the KwaZulu-Natal Oral History Association (KZNOHA) as well as the International Society for the Performing Arts (ISPA). He was a member of the Board of Trustees of the Tatham Art Gallery from 2002 to 2004. He served two terms as a member of the Council of KwaZulu-Natal Museum from 2005 to 2011 and in 2007 he was elected to the Executive Committee of the Theatre Managements of South Africa (TMSA). Then two years later he was elected its chairperson. In 2012 he was appointed a member of the Board of Cape Town Tourism for a one year term.

He has published various articles in local and international historical and heritage journals, and has also contributed chapters in books. In addition to his passion for the governance of the arts or “the art of governance” as it relates to heritage and performing arts institutions, he is a historian with particular interest in South Africa’s twentieth century socio-economic and political history, oral history, biographical studies, heritage and the transformation of traditional governance structures.

Mkhize is perfect for his new position at The State Theatre. “I am honoured that the Council of The South African State Theatre appointed me as its new CEO and I am very much encouraged by the work that The State Theatre team has already done in taking the theatre forward,” he says.

Now his main objective is to ensure that the business model of the organisation supports the mandate of the theatre, “particularly the need to have a close relationship with local communities, regardless of their social and economic backgrounds,” states Mkhize and says that it is important that the theatre establishes partnerships with other theatres, not only in the West but throughout the African continent, in line with the African Union’s Vision 2063. “I will be working closely with the Council and the artistic team at The State Theatre to ensure that the challenges of lack of funding are addressed, and that relationships with different layers of government are strengthened,” he concludes.

For more information on The SA State Theatre, visit www.statetheatre.co.za. Alternatively, connect with them on Facebook or on Twitter.