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

Acting DG Dr Cynthia Khumalo Netball World Cup message of support

Dr Cynthia Khumalo

It is exactly 7 days to go for the Netball World Cup 2023.

I know that the visibility and hype is also being felt by all of you as we host this Netball World Cup for the first time on African Soil.

Keynote speech by Acting Director-General, Mr Vusi Ndima on the occasion to officially welcome 1st year students at Stellenbosch University

Programme Director

Honoured guests

Ladies and gentlemen

All the 1st year students who are our honoured guests for this concert!

Address by Director-General Mkhize at the Women’s Month Celebration

The 1956 Women’s march is largely a political event that had women from all walks of life. These women were marching against pass laws that were imposed by the apartheid government. Little focus is on the mental health of these women, who were fighting against the racial abuse imposed by the apartheid government.

Address by Director-General, Mr. Vusumuzi Mkhize on an occasion of Launching Silapha Wellness Programme Western Cape Activation

Programme Director: Penny Lebyane

Mr. Gillion Bosman, Chairperson of the Sport, Arts and Culture Standing Committee in the WC, the sector representatives here today, the creative workers, and athletes of our country.

Distinguished guests

Director-General, Mr. Vusumuzi Mkhize at the South African National Schools Sport National Aquatics Championships Closing Ceremony Hillcrest Swimming Pool, Hatfield, Pretoria

Programme Director

The Department of Basic Education – our partner in the implementation of the Schools Sport Strategy

The leadership of Swimming South Africa – the National Federation responsible for swimming

Remarks by the Director-General of the Department of Sport, Arts and Culture on the Occasion of the Africa Month Colloquium at Ditsong Military Museum in Johannesburg

Programme Director

CEO of Ditsong Museums, Ms Lebethe

Esteemed Speakers, Professors and Academics

Representatives of entities and members of book clubs

Members of the Community,

Director-General, Mr. Vusumuzi Mkhize at the South African National Schools Sport National Aquatics Championships Closing Ceremony Hillcrest Swimming Pool, Hatfield, Pretoria

  • Programme Director
  • The Department of Basic Education – our partner in the implementation of the Schools Sport Strategy
  • The leadership of Swimming South Africa – the National Federation responsible for swimming

Address by Director-General Mkhize on the Matola Monument Memorial Commemoration

Distinguished guests

Honorable Minister

I would like to take this opportunity to also acknowledge the families of the fallen heroes who died on that historic day.

Address by Director-General Vusumuzi Mkhize on the occasion of the Launch of Orange Day Campaign and 16 Days of Activism on No Violence Against Women and Children

Mr Vusumuzi Mkhize

The history of the 16 days of Activism of no violence Against women and Children originates from the first Women’s Global Leadership Institute. “16 Days”, as it has become known, was launched and continue to be coordinated by the Centre for Women’s Global Leadership.

  1. Director-General Vusumuzi Mkhize on the occasion of the Launch of Orange Day Campaign and 16 Days of Activism on No Violence Against Women and Children.docx (16.54 KB)

Address by Director–General of the South African Department of Sport Arts and Culture, Mr Vusumuzi Mkhize at the Webinar on the Impact of Covid19 on African Liberation Heritage Sites

I wish to extent my greetings to fellow panel members on this webinar platform. Furthermore, I wish to recognise the presence of:

The Chairperson of and other distinguished members of the National Heritage Council (NHC);

The Acting Chief Executive Officer of the NHC and other CEOs of local and international institutions present;