Joburg Ballet CEO suspended
JOBURG – CEO suspended for issues regarding corporate governance.
Joburg Ballet said the recent suspension of CEO Dirk Badenhorst doesn’t relate to previous financial mismanagement accusations.
Acting chairperson James Campbell said the recent suspension concerns corporate governance issues while last year’s accusations were about financial mismanagement involving the company’s R900 000 deposited into Badenhorst’s private account.
Campbell said in last year’s case, the money was transferred without the board’s knowledge.
“He initially agreed to pay back the money and then he changed his mind,” said Campbell.
He said Badenhorst was suspended on 18 August pending the outcome of disciplinary proceedings on corporate governance.
Campbell said investigations to issues of corporate governance and financial management including oversight withing the company, has pushed the board to assess Badenhorst’s conduct.
“The suspension is in the best interests of every stakeholder involved, including dancers, staff, sponsors and the company itself,” said Campbell.
Campbell has been appointed to oversee the company until the matter is resolved.
Joburg Ballet’s website describes Badenhorst’s career:
“The former University of Pretoria music lecturer started his professional ballet career with the Cape Performing Arts Board Ballet in Cape Town.
“After the closure of the State Theatre and its performing entities in 2000, he was instrumental in establishing Joburg Ballet Theatre, the first independent professional ballet company in SA,” the website stated.
He negotiated sponsorship and international collaborations for the company.
He served as CEO of the theatre until 2006.
In 2008 he established Mzansi Productions, a professional dance company, initiated a partnership and exchange programme with ballet institutions in Cuba and also established Cape Town International Ballet Competition.
He brought the Young Cuban Ballet Stars to South Africa as well as teachers and senior students from Cuba to share their expertise.
“He was invited by the Alumni Club of Harvard University to do a presentation in March 2011 in New York on the state of the arts in South Africa after the Soccer World Cup.”
He also initiated and directed the Roodepoort Youth Ballet.
Joburg Ballet represents abroad
