Beth Arendse Appointed CEO of Business and Arts South Africa

Johannesburg, 23 June 2025 — In a significant leadership development for the country’s creative sector, Business and Arts South Africa (BASA) has officially announced the appointment of Beth Arendse as its new Chief Executive Officer, effective 1 July 2025.

At Imbizo Magazine, we take this opportunity to extend our sincere congratulations to Beth on her appointment. We recognize first-hand her exceptional leadership, passion, and dedication to the creative economy. We are confident that under her guidance, BASA will continue to grow its influence and elevate South Africa’s arts and cultural industries to even greater heights. With a distinguished career spanning over 25 years, Beth Arendse is a widely respected figure in South Africa’s creative and cultural industries. She has consistently demonstrated visionary insight, strategic expertise, and an unwavering commitment to inclusive development and industry innovation.

Among her many achievements, Beth is the founder of transformative platforms such as the Tshwane School of Music, the South African Creative Industries Incubator (SACII), and the Music Business Lab. These initiatives have empowered hundreds of emerging creatives with vital entrepreneurial skills, business knowledge, and market access, enabling them to build sustainable careers within a highly competitive sector. In addition to her work in creative entrepreneurship, Beth has contributed to national strategic conversations through her roles on several prestigious advisory bodies, including the Presidential Commission for the Fourth Industrial Revolution and the National Advisory Council on Innovation. Her expertise has informed policy aimed at enhancing the adaptability and resilience of the creative sector in the face of technological advancement and shifting economic priorities.

Beth’s appointment arrives at a pivotal moment for BASA, as the organisation refines its strategic focus to further position the creative economy as a vital contributor to South Africa’s national development agenda. Zingisa Motloba, Chairperson of the BASA Board, expressed the board’s confidence in her appointment: “In the rigorous process of identifying a CEO, we were encouraged by the calibre of candidates, which is a testament to the value embedded in the BASA brand. Ultimately, Beth’s passion for the creative industries, entrepreneurial spirit, and innovative approach to both challenges and opportunities made her the outstanding choice. We are excited to take this next step with her.”

One of the immediate priorities under Beth’s leadership will be the revamp of BASA’s Membership Tiers, an initiative aimed at redefining and enhancing the value proposition for the organisation’s members, partners, and stakeholders. Furthermore, her tenure is expected to prioritise strategic collaborations between business, government, and civil society to firmly position the arts as a driver of economic growth and social progress.

Reflecting on her appointment, Beth Arendse shared: “I step into this role with a deep belief in the power of the creative economy to shape South Africa’s future — not only to inspire, but to generate economic opportunity, create sustainable livelihoods, and unlock the country’s full creative and economic potential. I am honoured to lead BASA into its next chapter and look forward to forging bold partnerships that position creatives as architects of our nation’s economic and social progress.”

At Imbizo Magazine, we eagerly anticipate the positive impact Beth will make in her new role and look forward to reporting on the new initiatives, opportunities, and partnerships that will undoubtedly emerge from this new chapter for BASA and the creative industries at large. “Wishing you every success on this remarkable journey ahead. We look forward to witnessing the meaningful contribution you will continue to make in shaping the future of our creative and cultural sectors,” says the Imbizo Magazine editorial team.