Amogelang Maledu has been appointed as the curator for the 2025–2026 MTN x UJ New Contemporaries Award (NCA), a programme by the MTN SA Foundation and the UJ Art Gallery. The announcement was made on February 13, setting the stage for Maledu’s research and selection process to identify emerging South African visual artists.
Chosen by the NCA Legacy Panel, Maledu will begin research in March, visiting artists’ studios, galleries, and museums across the country while studying contemporary literature and consulting industry experts. Her research will lead to the nomination of four artists who will showcase their work at the UJ Art Gallery in 2026.
“Amogelang has a strong ability to bring overlooked artists into the spotlight and present their stories in meaningful ways,” said Dr. Dineke Orton, curator of the UJ Art Gallery.
The search for this year’s curator started with an open call during the Free State Arts Festival in Bloemfontein on July 6, 2024. From 37 submissions, Maledu was chosen on November 25 by the NCA Legacy Panel, consisting of past NCA curators Dr. Portia Malatjie, Dr. Nontobeko Akoi-Jackson, Khwezi Gule, Melissa Goba, and Dr. Dineke Orton.
Maledu’s focus will explore the relationship between art and technology, with a particular interest in digital and virtual formats. “I am eager to experiment with VR and new digital possibilities in my curatorial work,” Maledu said.
The MTN x UJ New Contemporaries Award will feature a dedicated section on the UJ Art Gallery’s online platform, Moving Cube, to expand exposure for the curator and artists. A Winter School will also take place in July 2025 at the FADA Gallery, designed to engage school learners in contemporary art.
