The MTN SA Foundation, in partnership with the UJ Art Gallery, has appointed Amogelang Maledu as the curator for the 2025-2026 MTN x UJ New Contemporaries Award (NCA) programme. This prestigious appointment marks a significant step in Maledu’s curatorial career, as she prepares to lead the research and exhibition process for emerging South African contemporary artists.

Maledu was selected by the NCA Legacy Panel from a pool of 37 submissions following the programme’s open call at the Free State Arts Festival in July 2024. The panel includes esteemed figures such as Dr. Portia Malatjie, Dr. Nontobeko Akoi-Jackson, Khwezi Gule, Melissa Goba, and UJ Art Gallery curator Dr. Dineke Orton.

The research phase of the programme, set to begin in March 2025, will see Maledu engaging with artists, galleries, and museums across South Africa. Her focus will be on identifying emerging talents within contemporary genres, particularly those working with digital and virtual mediums—a thematic direction aligning with the MTN Foundation’s commitment to the intersection of art and technology.

“The incorporation of virtual reality into these exhibitions is an exciting development for me,” Maledu noted, underscoring her interest in innovative curatorial approaches.

Dr. Orton expressed confidence in Maledu’s vision, highlighting her ability to spotlight underrepresented artists and bring fresh perspectives to the programme. The culmination of Maledu’s research will be an exhibition at the UJ Art Gallery in 2026, featuring four nominated artists.

As part of the NCA programme, the FADA Gallery will also host a Winter School in July 2025, aimed at educating school learners about contemporary art. This initiative underscores the programme’s broader mission to foster greater engagement and art literacy among younger audiences.