Ntombovuyo Tywakadi

Biography

Ntombovuyo is Assistant Collections Manager-Art at Iziko Museums of South Africa. Her duties include; handling and cleaning museum artifacts: record keeping digitized lists, catalogue cards: logos-flow database: accessioning new acquisitions (listing, numbering, tagging, photography): packing collections for storage and exhibitions: contributing to quarterly reports: basic digital photography: principles of safety and security of collections: being physically fit and able to carry heavy objects: retrieve objects for exhibitions, loans and research: mentor and coach collections staff (contract workers and interns).

She holds a BA in Anthropology, Psychology and Language and Communication Studies and has an Office Administration certificate.  With more than 17 years of experience in museums she has acquired skills in collections management, conservation, supervising contract workers and interns, and working with the public. Ntombovuyo has undertaken training in house at her museum and internationally through the ITP.

Currently Ntombovuyo is overseeing the move of the African Art to Iziko Social History Centre and preparing for preparing for Iziko Museum’s up-coming exhibitions.

At the time of the ITP, Ntombovuyo was Museum Collections Assistant: Social History Unit also at Iziko Museums of South Africa (an Agency of Department of Arts and Culture).

At the British Museum
During her time on the International Training Programme in 2016, Ntombovuyo was based in the Department of Africa, Oceania and the Americas and her partner placement was spent at Bristol Museums, Galleries and Archives.

In 2016, participants were asked to develop a proposal for an Asahi Shimbun Display – a temporary exhibition in Room 3 at the British Museum – based around a single ‘spotlight’ object.  Ntombovuyo’s exhibition project proposal was entitled Customs in South Africa: a Significance of Totemism to Kin Groups.

Ntombovuyo’s place on the International Training Programme was generously supported by Lady Keswick.

Legacy Projects
In December 2017 Ntombovuyo attended the ITP+ course on Photography and Documentation. In a workshop spread over a 5 day period, fellows attended seminars, creative workshops, hands-on sessions and practical working groups with colleagues from the British Museum. The aim of the course was to further the professional development and reconnect the alumni from the summer programme.