The Zeitz MOCAA Gala Collateral Programme 2025, curated by Hamzeh Alfarahneh and hosted by Zeitz MOCAA Executive Director and Chief Curator Koyo Kouoh, unfolds as a celebration of women’s often understated contributions to the art world. This four-day journey from Thursday, 20 February to Sunday, 23 February is open to all Gala attendees on a first-come-first-serve basis and promises an immersive exploration of South Africa’s vibrant art ecosystem.
With an ethos of curiosity, joy, and hospitality, the programme offers studio and gallery visits, curator-led tours, and thought-provoking discussions, all set against Cape Town’s spectacular backdrop.
SA’s art ecosystem
“This year’s itinerary bridges the cultural pulse of Cape Town and the broader Western Cape, extending from its dynamic galleries to the Stellenbosch Triennale and the Investec Cape Town Art Fair. Anchored by the principle of intentionality, the programme crafts a tapestry of engagements that range from the intimate to the expansive, creating opportunities for discovery and connection,” says Alfarahneh.
The programme highlights the interconnectedness of South Africa’s art ecosystem, acknowledging its strengths, challenges, and unique historical context. South Africa’s art world thrives on a complex interplay between tradition and innovation, shaped by its diverse cultural heritage and the resilience of its people. At the same time, it grapples with structural inequities and the lingering effects of colonialism and apartheid, which continue to influence access, representation, and narratives within the arts. Cape Town, as a microcosm of these dynamics, is a city of contrasts—vibrant and cosmopolitan yet deeply tied to its historical legacies. Its cultural fabric reflects both a legacy of segregation and an enduring spirit hope, tolerance, and transformation.
The role of women
By weaving together narratives of triumph and challenge, the Gala Collateral Programme invites participants to explore the nuances of South Africa’s cultural landscape while engaging with pressing issues of equity and inclusion. Central to this year’s focus is the role of women—artists, curators, and cultural practitioners—whose contributions have been pivotal in shaping the South African art ecosystem, often without receiving the recognition they deserve.
The programme’s structure embraces both critical inquiry and moments of joy, inviting participants to engage with the systems, histories, and narratives that shape the dynamism of the South African art landscape, thus challenging them to envision new ways of thinking and collaborating. From curator-led walkthroughs at Zeitz MOCAA and beyond to roundtable discussions, the experience is designed to foster meaningful exchanges. These moments are interspersed with communal meals, and refuelling stations prepared by local women chefs, infusing the programme with warmth and a sense of belonging.
At its core, the Gala Collateral Programme embodies a collective effort. The museum’s largely women-led team, along with its collaborators and supporters, ensures the programme resonates with authenticity and generosity. Their contributions underscore the importance of alliance in creating a holistic cultural experience.
Red-carpet welcome
The Zeitz MOCAA Gala 2025, taking place on Friday, 21 February 2025, is the museum’s annual fundraiser and draws a global, regional and local audience of patrons, philanthropists, practitioners, collectors and cultural luminaries. The Gala is crucial in advancing the institution’s mission to exhibit, collect, preserve and research contemporary art from Africa and its Diaspora.
The Gala evening begins with a red-carpet welcome and a private champagne reception in the museum’s Atrium. Guests will be treated to an evening of exclusive performances by Thandiswa Mazwai.
A key moment in the evening is the presentation of the Zeitz MOCAA Honorary Award for Artistic Excellence to Otobong Nkanga in recognition of the indelible impression she has forged on the contemporary art landscape in Africa and the Diaspora. MC is Jo-Ann Strauss.
Guests will then enjoy an exceptionally curated gastronomic experience at Zeitz MOCAA’s level 6 restaurant, Ocular Lounge.
The 4-day Gala Collateral Programme culminates in an evening of sophistication for Gala patrons and invited guests at the Don Julio Afterparty on Saturday, 22 February.
What: Zeitz MOCAA Gala 2025
When: Friday, 21 February 2025
Where: Zeitz MOCAA, S Arm Rd, Victoria & Alfred Waterfront, Cape Town
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