R2K Champions 2019: Mary-Anne Makgoka

Fired from the National Arts Council for blowing the whistle on dodgy dealings.

Makgoka was the board secretary at the National Arts Council (NAC). She blew the whistle on alleged dodgy dealings and was fired.

Makgoka offered proof that NAC chief executive Rosemary Mangope had irregularly signed off on a deal to fund a project called Lalela to conduct art education for underprivileged school children, first for R50 000, R35 000 was paid out and not accounted for, and then for R1.8 million without going through proper processes. The CEO was conflicted because she funded Sol Kerzener’s daughter who is a family friend and did not declare the relationship. She also irregularly increased her own salary without going through proper processes.

Mangope faced a disciplinary hearing while Makgoka was fired from her duties after 14 years as board secretary.

Read more here.

Makgoka is featured on the 2019 Champions for the Right to Know Calendar.