Collect Now, Pay Later on Latitudes Online
Latitudes Online launches partnership with Africa Collect
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That funny little M word that makes the world go round, but shouldn't be talked about too openly. In the art world of all places, it is often more of a taboo, as the mention of the m word might seem to take away from art appreciation for art appreciation itself. But what of sustainability? It is, after all, in part what allows the ecosystem to spur forward. So, let's talk about it — money.
Featured artwork: Azuka Muoh, Moon Boy
Latitudes has always made attempts to be an accessible art space. Part of that means making collecting as easy as possible for our collectors, and therefore making the creation of art as sustainable as possible for the artists. To realise this, we have partnered with Africa Collect, which allows our collectors to purchase artworks from R 1,000 - R 50,000 ex VAT in automated instalment payments for a period of up to 12 months. The best part? Specialist art insurer iTOO Insurance insures the artwork against damages and theft for the duration of its payment.
Featured artwork: Kirsten Sims, Read my Mind
Africa Collect want to revolutionise art acquisition in South Africa
Africa Collect is a financial organisation with art at its heart. Founded in 2023 by Sara Hallatt and Thabo Ncalo, Africa Collect aims to support the “younger” art collector by providing finance to enable them to purchase artwork. With more than 25 years between them in the visual arts and the financial sector respectively, their hope is that this offering will not only bolster the visual arts sector (approximately a R1 billion sector in South Africa), making it more sustainable but will also enable a younger generation of art collectors to begin their collecting journey.
Recognising the desire among South Africans to engage more deeply with culture, Africa Collect offers a seamless process for art enthusiasts:
- Simple Enrolment: A one-time sign-up provides continuous access to a curated selection of artworks.
- Flexible Payment Plans: Collectors can choose to pay over 6 or 12 months, making art ownership more accessible.
- Curated Partnerships: Collaborations with pre-vetted artists and galleries ensure the highest quality and ethical standards. Currently Africa Collect has partner Galleries and Artists in both Cape Town and Johannesburg and is looking to expand.
- Exclusive Discounts: Members receive a fixed 5% discount on all artwork purchases.
Africa Collect's mission encompasses:
- Market Access: Assisting artists and galleries in closing sales and reaching a broader audience.
- Audience Development: Enhancing public knowledge and interest in visual arts through collaborative efforts.
- Cultural Entrepreneurship: Supporting galleries and artists as cultural entrepreneurs through skill development initiatives.
- Financial Accessibility: Providing art lovers with flexible financial options to facilitate art purchases.
- Art Education: Empowering collectors through rewards programs and community engagement to deepen their appreciation and understanding of art.
How it works:
- The buyer selects an artwork they love.
- They apply for a loan through the Africa Collect website.
- After a credit check and approval, Africa Collect pays the gallery or artist.
- The buyer pays a 10% deposit and takes the artwork home.
- They repay the balance over up to 12 months.
By bridging the gap between artists and collectors, Africa Collect aims to foster a vibrant and inclusive art community in South Africa. Sara and Thabo so strongly believe in their mission that they have put their money where their mouth is and have privately funded this loan book.
ABOUT THE FOUNDERS
Thabo Ncalo
With over two decades of experience in financial services and investment management, Thabo Ncalo has built a career at the intersection of venture capital, alternative funds, and equity investing—driving economic growth across South Africa and the continent.
His expertise spans both tech-driven and social impact funds, reflecting a commitment to innovation and sustainable development in Africa’s financial ecosystem. Ncalo’s career trajectory includes pivotal roles at major financial institutions such as Investec Asset Management (now NinetyOne), STANLIB Asset Management, and Old Mutual, where he honed his investment strategies and market insights.
Now, as a venture capital manager at 8th Season and Future Build, Ncalo is actively shaping the next generation of African enterprises, channeling capital into high-growth ventures poised to redefine industries. His leadership in VC underscores the increasing role of alternative investments in fuelling the continent’s economic transformation.
Sara Hallatt
Few individuals have shaped Johannesburg’s contemporary art landscape as profoundly as Sara Hallatt. A powerhouse in arts programming and cultural entrepreneurship, Hallatt is the founder of the META Foundation, a non-profit established in 2020 as the programming arm of August House, a renowned artist community in Doornfontein.
Beyond META, she is also the force behind Contra.Joburg, the city’s largest on-the-ground visual arts festival, and Africa Collect, a pioneering loan service enabling art collectors to invest in artworks—both initiatives reinforcing her commitment to expanding access to the arts.
Hallatt’s journey began in below-the-line marketing in 2003 with Blackmagic Communications after earning her BADA from Wits University. She soon transitioned into large-scale event production, working with the VWV Group on globally significant projects, including the 2009 Confederations Cup Opening & Closing Ceremonies and the 2010 FIFA World Cup.
Her shift into the visual arts was marked by her leadership at the Bag Factory Artists’ Studios, one of South Africa’s most influential visual arts NGOs, where she served as Director from 2011. In 2020, she further cemented her role in the arts by taking over the management of August House, a vital creative hub in Johannesburg.
A Mandela Washington Fellow, Hallatt studied business and entrepreneurship at Northwestern University in Chicago and holds a Postgraduate Diploma in Business Management. With her diverse expertise spanning marketing, large-scale event production, and arts development, she continues to shape Johannesburg’s creative economy—fostering sustainability, accessibility, and innovation in the visual arts sector.
Website: www.africacollect.com
Further Reading In Articles
African Artist Directory