“VUT lecturer & art curator Ms Nkululeko Khumalo, winner of Best Presenter at ICOAH 2025 in Bangkok, reflects on her journey & art’s role in empowering communities.”
07 October 2025 | Story By: Staff Reporter | Picture: Supplied
3 minutes read time.
When Ms Nkululeko Khumalo returned from Bangkok, Thailand, she carried more than a suitcase filled with memories, she brought home international recognition that placed the Vaal University of Technology (VUT) on the global arts and humanities map.
Earlier this year, Ms Khumalo, a lecturer in the Department of Visual Arts and Design and an independent art curator, represented VUT at the 12th International Conference on Arts and Humanities (ICOAH 2025), hosted by the International Institute of Knowledge Management (TIIKM) from 4 to 5 September 2025. The conference was held under the theme “Cornerstones of Belonging: Building Sustainable Communities.”
Gathering scholars, artists, and innovators from over 80 universities across 45 countries, ICOAH 2025 explored how arts and humanities can build inclusive and resilient societies. Against this global backdrop, Ms Khumalo distinguished herself by winning the Overall Best Presenter Award, a recognition that celebrated her research excellence, originality, and engaging presentation style.
“When they announced my name, I was momentarily frozen,” she recalls with a warm smile. “Standing in that room, surrounded by people from across the world, I realised that our South African stories matter. They belong in these global conversations. We just need to tell them with courage and authenticity.”
Her presentation delved into the intersection of art, identity, and community healing, exploring how creative expression can restore fractured societies, foster belonging, and drive social change. Drawing on her curatorial practice, she illustrated how art can function as a form of social dialogue, a bridge between history, memory, and imagination.
“Art is not just for galleries,” she explains. “It is a living language that speaks to our shared humanity. Through art, we build communities that remember, reimagine, and rebuild.”
The conference explored broad themes including cultural heritage, resilience, and the role of technology in connecting people and preserving identity. South Africa’s presence was strong, with representation from VUT, the University of Cape Town (UCT), Cape Peninsula University of Technology (CPUT), and other African institutions that continue to contribute to the continent’s creative scholarship.
Reflecting on her experience, Ms Khumalo says the exposure was transformative.
“Participating in ICOAH reminded me that the work we do at VUT, nurturing creative thinkers and researchers, is part of a much larger ecosystem of global ideas. It showed me how innovation in the arts can influence sustainability, inclusion, and transformation.”
Her achievement continues to inspire students and colleagues within the Department of Visual Arts and Design, where she mentors young artists to see their work as both personal expression and public impact.
“I tell my students that art can speak policy, challenge systems, and heal wounds,” she says. “We have the power to shape narratives that matter.”
As she looks ahead, Ms Khumalo is preparing for future curatorial collaborations and hopes to launch a cross-continental exhibition exploring belonging and identity in post-colonial Africa.
“Awards are affirmations,” she reflects, “but what truly matters is what follows, how you use that recognition to open doors for others.”
Her success not only underscores her personal excellence but also reflects VUT’s commitment to global research, creative innovation, and cultural leadership, values embedded in the institution’s Strategy 2033+ vision of a connected, inclusive, and transformative university.