JOSEPH MATHE

Deputy Director of Craft Development in the Cultural Development Unit at DAC.

Joseph Mathe is the Deputy Director of Craft Development in the Cultural Development Unit at the National Department of Arts and Culture (DAC).

He is responsible for the co-ordination and facilitation of projects, the development of policy and legislation for craft development in South Africa and monitors and evaluates government policies, programmes and projects. In addition, he is responsible for the development of tender specifications and briefs, evaluation of tenders and the management of consultants. He also plays a key role in the management of the processes to develop and sign contracts with service providers.

A number of high profile projects in which Mathe has facilitated and coordinated include the National Craft Imbizo, Beautiful Things Exhibition at the World Summit on Sustainable Development, Celebrate South Africa in London, SIAO Trade Fair and the Beautiful Things Craft Super Market of 2006. In addition he has managed projects to exhibit South African creative industries in countries like Spain, China, Burkina Faso and Algeria, the US and the UK.

Besides being a family man with one child, Mathe is passionate about the ongoing development of strategy for craft development which includes marketing, training, funding, access to information and access to raw materials.

Highlights of his career at the Department include being part of the Ten Years of Freedom Task team of the Department of Arts and Culture in 2004.

Mathe has a Bachelor of Arts in Education from Wits University and has obtained a certificate in Economic Literacy. Lastly he is the department representative in the National Craft Steering Member of the Departmental Publishing Committee.