Director-General

Dr Cynthia KhumaloTitle: Dr 

Initials: C

Surname: Khumalo

Name(s): Cynthia

 

Dr Cynthia Ntombifuthi Stella Khumalo has been appointed Director-General of the Department of Sport, Arts and Culture (DSAC), effective 15 August 2025. She brings to the role extensive leadership experience and a distinguished academic background, having served as Deputy Director-General of DSAC from July 2020 to August 2025. 

Academic Qualifications: 

Dr Khumalo holds multiple qualifications, including a Bachelor of Science and Bachelor of Education from the University of Zululand, a Higher Education Diploma from the University of South Africa, a Master of Business Administration (MBA) from the University of Natal, and a Doctorate in Business Administration (PhD) from the University of KwaZulu-Natal.  

Careers/Positions/Memberships/Other Activities:

Her career spans several senior executive roles across government and public entities. She was Chief Executive Officer of uShaka Marine World from 2014 to 2020, Chief Executive Officer of the KZN Liquor Authority from 2012 to 2014, Head of Department at the Provincial Department of Arts, Culture and Tourism from 2007 to 2012, and Chief Director/General Manager for Tourism and Corporate Strategy from 2005 to 2007. Beyond her executive leadership, Dr Khumalo has contributed significantly to governance and strategic oversight, serving on the boards of the KZN Tourism Authority and KZN Sharks Board (2007–2009), Music House KZN (2016–2017), and FEDHASA-KZN (2015–2018). She also chaired the HR and Remuneration Board Committee of the KZN Liquor Authority between 2015 and 2020.  

In addition to her professional achievements, Dr Khumalo has made notable academic and community contributions. She was appointed to co-supervise Master’s and Doctoral students at Durban University of Technology in 2019 and has been a mentor and advocate for women in leadership and public service. Her excellence has been recognized through prestigious awards, including the Business Achiever Award (Government Category) from the KZN Business Women Association in 2016 and the SHERO Award (Public Service Category) from iGagasi FM in 2018.  

Dr Khumalo’s appointment as Director-General reflects her proven leadership, unwavering commitment to public service, and dedication to advancing South Africa’s sport, arts, and cultural sectors.

 

 

DDG Cynthia Khumalo

Purpose

The purpose of Office of the Director-General is to provide strategic support to the Director-General in providing strategic leadership towards achievement of the department’s vision, i.e. an arts, culture and heritage sector that contributes significantly to social cohesion, nation building and economic empowerment.

The vision of the Department of Arts and Culture will be realized through achievement of the following strategic goals:

  • Enhanced access to information
  • Enhanced development, protection and preservation of arts, culture and heritage
  • Increased economic development and empowerment
  • Entrenched linguistic diversity
  • Advanced social cohesion and democracy
  • Enhanced governance and accountability

 

Key Functions 

In providing the strategic support to the Director-General the Office of the Director-General performs the following key functions:

1.1 Coordination of workflow and administrative function in the Office of the Director-General

1.2 Coordination of the strategic planning process of DAC

1.3 Guidance in the policy development and coordination process

1.4 Coordination of the development and implementation of the service delivery improvement and transformation initiatives

1.5 Coordination and management of the Executive, Top and Broad Management meetings

1.6 Coordination of the implementation of the MPAT and FOSAD Plan

1.7 Attend to bottlenecks and providing advise to improve delivery

1.8 Management of human and financial resources for the DG’s Office

1.9 Stakeholder and client relations management for the DG’s office

Opening Remarks by the Director-General of the Department of Sport, Arts and Culture, Dr Cynthia Khumalo, at the 4th Culture Working Group Meeting

Opening Remarks by the Director-General of the Department of Sport, Arts and Culture, Dr Cynthia Khumalo, at the 4th Culture Working Group Meeting, 27 October 2025

Programme Director: Ms Zimasa Velaphi
Honourable Minister Gayton McKenzie
MEC Mntomuhle Khawula
Ms Angela Martins from the African Union
Mr Bruno Melo from Brazil representing the Troika Group
Representatives from UNESCO, our knowledge partner
Distinguished Delegates from G20 Countries, Guest Countries, and International Organizations,
Senior Officials
Members of the Media
Members of the Diplomatic Corps

Acting Director-General, Dr Khumalo’s Closing Remarks at the 2024 Football National School Sport Championships, Wits

It is indeed my pleasure and honour to be part of the historic moment of our School Sport Programme. This event happens on the long weekend, in which we commemorate the strength and resilience of South African women and their contribution to society and country. Because On 9 August 1956, about 20 000 women marched to the Union Buildings in Pretoria to protest against the legislation aimed at tightening the apartheid government's control over the movement of black women in urban areas.

Message of support from the National Department of Sport, Arts and Culture in South Africa to the Reggae Community on the Occasion of the International Reggae Day

On this 1st day of July 2024, as the National Department of Sport, Arts and Culture from South Africa, the home of the late former President, Nelson Mandela and Mama Winnie Mandela, we are honored to convey this short message of support and best wishes on the occasion of the International Reggae Day!

Address by Acting Director General, Dr Stella Khumalo on the occasion of the Launch of Africa Month

Programme Director:  

Your Excellencies Ambassadors and High Commissioner present here.

Councellor Gregory Nthatisi, Executive Mayor of Mangaung

Mr Molato Tshabalala HoD for Sport, Recreation, Arts and Culture, Free State Province

Address by Dr Stella Khumalo, Acting Director-General at the National Language Stakeholder Engagement Forum

Programme Director, Dr Tebogo Rakgogo

Acting CEO of Ditsong Museum, Dr Mohapi, our host today and tomorrow,

CEO of Pansalb, Mr Lance Schultz

Prof Thabo Ditsele, our guest speaker today

CEO of South African National Deaf Association: Mr Blose

The Acting Director General of The Department of Sport, Art and Culture at the National Language Stakeholder Engagement Forum 19 October 2023

ADDRESS BY DR STELLA KHUMALO,

The Acting Director General of The Department of Sport, Art and Culture at the National Language Stakeholder Engagement Forum

  1. ADG Address NLSEF 19 October 2023.pdf (175.77 KB)

Address by Acting Director-General, Dr Cynthia Khumalo on National Recreation Day at Nelspruit High School

This National Recreation Day event today comes at a time when as a country, we are grappling with issues of gender-based violence and femicide, poverty, unemployment and rampant inequality.

Recreation is a significant part of any nation’s culture, leisure time, health, economy and education. Individuals involved in physical activity benefit from a significantly enhanced quality of life. It is against this background that recreation is at the core of our Active Nation programmes.

Address by Acting Director-General, Dr Cynthia Khumalo at the School Sport Indaba

Programme Director, let me take this opportunity to acknowledge the following:

Minister of Sport, Arts and Culture – Mr. Zizi Kodwa

Deputy Minister of Sport, Arts and Culture – Ms. Nocawe Mafu

Remarks by Dr Cynthia Khumalo at School Sport Indaba

Programme Director, let me take this opportunity to acknowledge the following:

Minister of Sport, Arts and Culture – Mr. Zizi Kodwa

Deputy Minister of Sport, Arts and Culture – Ms. Nocawe Mafu

Address by Acting Director-General, Dr Cynthia Khumalo at the official opening of the South African Exhibition Stand at the Gothenburg Book Fair

It is with excitement that I stand before you, representing my country, South Africa, as we participate yet again in the Gothenburg Book Fair, where words take flight and imagination knows no bounds, which is a testament to our shared love for books and the enduring legacy of human creativity.