The Royal Ontario Museum (ROM) announced the appointment of Tandazani Dhlakama as Curator of Global Africa. A Zimbabwean-born curator, Dhlakama brings 15 years of experience working with African and diaspora artists in Zimbabwe and South Africa. She joins ROM from Zeitz Museum of Contemporary Art Africa (Zeitz MOCAA) in Cape Town.

“We are thrilled to welcome Tandazani Dhlakama to this important role,” says Josh Basseches, ROM Director & CEO. “Her vision and international outlook will deepen ROM’s engagement with African art and culture, making the Museum even more inclusive for Toronto’s African communities.”

As Curator of Global Africa, Dhlakama will lead the interpretation of ROM’s extensive collection of Art from Africa, reshaping displays and engaging with African and diaspora communities in the Greater Toronto Area and beyond.

“I look forward to highlighting African narratives and histories while addressing contemporary issues,” says Dhlakama.

With extensive curatorial experience, Dhlakama previously held roles at Zeitz MOCAA, including Curator, Assistant Curator, and Education Manager. Her notable exhibitions include When We See Us: A Century of Black Figuration in Painting and Bamako Encounters at the African Biennale of Photography.

Dhlakama holds an MA in Art Gallery and Museum Studies from the University of Leeds and a BA in Fine Art and Political Science from St. Lawrence University.