The Centre for Fine Arts, Animation and Design is happy to announce that
its six-year struggle to defend arts education finally drew to a victorious
close, which it looks forward to celebrating with supporters later this year.
Eighteen months after successfully obtaining an interdict against
shutdown, the 26-year-old institution's review of decisions taken by the
Department of Higher Education and Training and the Council of Higher Education
was in the Durban High Court on Friday March 6, 2020.
The court's prevailing view was that the CFAD's college is too important
(to the arts, education, and the empowerment of young talent) to be at risk of
closure. The parties were advised to mediate a practical resolution instead of
engaging in lengthy and costly litigation. As a result, the CFAD will be
working with the DHET and CHE to ensure that the well-known arts centre can
continue to run its visual arts college, the only education institution nationally
to have a unique, integrated, and highly sought after visual arts curriculum.
Dr Nanda Soobben, renowned artist and founder of the CFAD said "We
understand how important the arts are for our country, both during apartheid
and democracy. It worries me that our economy is in recession and on the verge
of junk status. We have no option but to fight for our young people's rights
and future."
CFAD's manager and spokesperson Shabnam Palesa Mohamed said "This
is an important and much needed victory for The Arts. We thank our superb legal
team lead by Adv OA Moosa SC, our staff, students, graduates, and all our
supporters for standing with us. We look forward to celebrating the CFAD's 26th
anniversary with everyone in May this year."
For more information visit CFAD’s Facebook.