The Aletta Alberts Young Talent Fund

Launched a few days after the passing of Aletta on the 13th of July 2021, the fund has gained massive traction and aims to continue one of Aletta’s passions – helping young creatives achieve success.

At the time of her death from Covid related complications, Aletta had been mentoring two young South African film makers and assisted them in singing a deal with Charlize Theron’s production company. While details of this collaboration are still largely confidential, in some ways it is fitting that this was one of Aletta’s last acts – with Aletta having been with Charlize when she first went to the USA from South Africa as a teenager to help her establish her career.

It is also fantastic that one of Aletta’s long time friends (and later colleagues), Karen Meiring (a creative industry giant in her own right) is continuing a mentoring role with these two young creatives.

Having held a number of media roles during her career, at the time ofher death, Aletta was head of content and third party channels for Multichoice – a hugely influential person, globally, in content – especially for TV. It is no suprise then that NBC Universal generously donated to the fund with Lee Raftery Managing Director: Europe, Middle East & Africa and Chief Marketing Officer: International for NBC Universal writing:

“Aletta and I worked together for almost 14 years first with Comcast & the E! channel and for the last 8 years as NBCUniversal with our larger portfolio of channels. 

“Over that time Aletta impressed many of us at NBCUniversal with her deep knowledge of television in Africa which she so generously shared.  Aletta built a wonderful partnership between Multichoice and NBCUniversal over the years. 

“Most of all though, Aletta became a great friend to many of us and her warmth and humour will be deeply missed.”

Other donations and pledges – totalling nearly R400 000 – have come from Media24, Trace TV, artists, friends and even individuals who had never met Aletta but who have found meaning in what the fund hopes to achieve. Says Carel Nolte, one of the initiators:

“We wanted to find an easy way that Aletta’s legacy of contributing and growing others could continue. Our first recipient of money from the Aletta Alberts Young Talent Fund will spend a week in Montefollonico, Italy hosted by Roy Ockers from Banditto Art. Aletta and I served together on Roy’s advisory panel choosing artists for his residency, and so it is also meanningful and ‘right’ to continue this link.”

Other members of the fund include Maretha du Plessis (Aletta’s sister), Neeltjé Visser Swanepoel (a friend of many decades and Aletta’s executor), Roy, Aletta’s partners from the Kalashnikovv Gallery and at their meeting on 25th August, additional partners will be confirmed. Post this meeting, the Fund will also update Aletta’s many friends and colleagues on planned art exhibitions and auctions of some of Aletta’s work. Like her sister, Maretha has been busy. Very busy 🙂

All funds raised are held in the Elcar Trust acount and regular updates will be held on the funds awards, donations and activities. With Aletta’s interested spreading across TV to fabric, visual arts and beyond, the intention is to be very broad in the assistance given. After all, Aletta did like to say one should “expand one’s mainframe”!

Carel continues: “This fund is a celebration of Aletta, of talent and we will laugh a lot as we remember our friend and recognise young creatives in her memory.”

Elcar Trust FNB Account 62687058208

For international payments, more information and to get involved, please email carel@cnandco.com or contact himn on + 27 82 41 232 41