Kamogelo Walaza
area: Curator
Key Facts
nationality
south africaarea
Curatorresidence
Johannsburgrecommending institution
BMWKMStime period
May 2025 - June 2025Kamogelo Walaza, born in Bloemfontein but currently resides in Johnnesburg is a multidisciplinary artist, curator, arts education facilitator, writer, and ethnographer, with a diverse and robust academic and professional background. She holds a Postgraduate Diploma in Arts in Applied Drama and Theatre Studies (with distinction) and a BA Honours in Drama Therapy from the University of the Witwatersrand. In addition, she earned a Bachelor of Arts in Corporate Communications, an Honours in Communication Studies, and an Honours in Public Management and Governance from the University of Johannesburg.
Walaza has received numerous accolades, including the Marshall Kander Drama for Life award for her exceptional research in HIV/AIDS education through Applied Drama and Theatre. She recently produced a distinction-awarded autoethnographic research paper exploring the theme of "memories in her blood."
In 2021, she served as Assistant Curator for three exhibitions at Oliewenhuis Art Museum, where she also curated arts education workshops. She has contributed to projects with ArtBank SA and later joined a contemporary curation studio as Assistant Curator and Projects Manager. There, she assisted in curating for prominent events such as FNB Art Joburg, Turbine Art Fair, and Aspire Art.
She won the prestigious Bag Factory residency award and curated a solo exhibition. She further curated a group exhibition as part of the Young Curator Incubator at the Goethe-Institut, in collaboration with the University of Cape Town, mentored by Professor Nomusa Makhubu. In 2024, she was a Creative Knowledge fellow, curating SENSES at Micheals Art Gallery at UCT.
Walaza’s achievements extend to her recognition as one of the Mail & Guardian’s Young South Africans 2024. She also curated KO GAE at Nirox Sculpture Park with Oupa Sibeko as a part of her duo residency. In September 2024 she curated Ngiyabona Phambili, a solo exhibition by Sabelo Mlangeni at Umhlabathi Collective.
Her recent performance pieces were featured in OUSUN, a collaboration with the Wits School of the Arts, and at the Art Matters: Inherited Histories and Politics of Mapping Postgraduate Student Conference.
In addition to her curatorial work, Kamogelo Walaza runs her independent curatorial practice and program coordination business, WALAZA’S PRACTICE
Website:linktr.ee/KamogeloWalaza
Instagram: @walaza
Kamogelo Walaza is a scholarship holder of the “Fokus International” program, which was launched in cooperation with the Austrian Ministry of Culture (BWKKMS) in 2023. Young cultural workers from Kosovo (2023 – 2025) and South Africa (2025 – 2027) are invited to Austria to complete two-month internships at selected Viennese art institutions, thereby gaining work experience and enriching the host institution through their collaboration.
During her residency at MQ Kamogelo Walaza will work at Secession. There she supports the development of exhibitions, publications and events, working closely with curators and artists. Her aim is to ensure that scientific contributions are integrated in a meaningful way. It is also involved in project coordination and assists artists in the realization of their exhibitions - including logistical tasks such as loans, transport issues and research related to the production of artworks and associated costs.
In addition, Kamogelo is involved in the creation and editing of curatorial texts and other exhibition-related materials, with a particular emphasis on clarity and accuracy. She is also involved in the development of various mediation formats, including texts and podcasts. In addition, she is committed to building strategic partnerships and attracting funding for the institution.