Cyril Ramaphosa has thrown his weight behind the Johannesburg Philharmonic Orchestra

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Ramaphosa is JPO's new patron Top businessman Cyril Ramaphosa has been appointed patron of the Johannesburg Philharmonic Orchestra, South Africa's first multi-racial orchestra. September 15, 2006 By Ndaba Dlamini BUSINESS mogul Cyril Ramaphosa has taken up the role of patron for the first multi-racial orchestra in South Africa, the Johannesburg Philharmonic Orchestra (JPO). Accepting the position, Ramaphosa stressed that in a city as vibrant and energetic as Johannesburg, the JPO provided an important balance of essential relaxation with its soothing concerts and cultural advancement. Formed as an independent concern six years ago, the JPO is recognised as South Africa's leading philharmonic orchestra, performing music that incorporates the greatest accomplishments of classical and South African music genres. The JPO performing in Alexandra Township Ramaphosa, the former general secretary of the National Union of Mineworkers and secretary-general of the African National Congress, left the world of politics in 1994 and in recent years has become a prominent figure in the business community. He said he would lend his substantial influence to furthering the support of the orchestra in the business world. Ramaphosa's appointment will boost the orchestra's fund-raising abilities, according to the JPO's acting managing director, Shadrack Bokaba. The orchestra presents four symphonic seasons a year, with the fourth season due to start on 11 October at Linder Auditorium on the Wits Education Campus. In addition the orchestra also performs for local communities as part of its outreach programme, as well as at corporate functions and social events. However, funding and sponsorship for the orchestra is an ongoing concern, he said, adding that Ramaphosa "is an expert in business and we hope he is going to open doors that would be impossible for us to open". It is a trend, locally and internationally, for certain influential people to "look after" artistic organisations like the JPO, Bokaba said. He cited the South African Reserve Bank governor and South African Ballet Theatre patron, Tito Mboweni, as an example. Currently, the JPO receives sponsorship from Barlowworld, Hi-Fi Corporation, BidVest, Anglo American and Sandton Sun and Towers, amongst others. Permission to use web site material Publishers may use material from this site free of charge, as long as: Credit is given to either the "City of Johannesburg website (www.joburg.org.za)" or to "Johannesburg News Agency (www.joburg.org.za)"; If the article is used online, a link is provided to the original article on this website; The name of the article's author is acknowledged; The webmaster is informed of how and where the material is used (fill in this brief online form). Johannesburg News Agency is operated by BIG Media at 011-484-1400 Print this Page E-mail this article to a friend Help using Joburg.org.za