FMR BOARD

Johann Francois Vos

Johann Francois Vos has practised as an attorney since 1975.  He has been a member of FMR for over 20 years, and has been Chairman of the Board for the last eight years. Johann studied music at school, playing the piano until matric. For the last 30 years he has sponsored the Johann Vos Piano Competition at Hugo Lambrechts. Community orientated, he is also chairman of Stikland’s Hospital. Johann’s ethos is clear: “It’s up to all of us to make a difference by giving back to the community, the country and the continent.”

Brian Gardner

Brian Gardner is a Chartered Accountant who also has a Master’s Degree in Education. His financial acumen, coupled with his background as an educator make him a much-valued board member. Since Brian’s retirement in 2000 he has kept busy. For six years he was a board member for Hope Prison Ministry. Since 2022 he has been a treasurer for both FMR and the Parkhaven Home for the Aged. Brian volunteers at the SA Riding for the Disabled. Brian has been happily married for 60 years. He has three children, seven grandchildren and is looking forward to being a great-grandfather.

Chris Nicklin

Chris Nicklin has worked most of his professional life in the broadcast media. Starting out at the SABC as a journalist, he went on to work in radio and television for the BBC in London. While on a posting back in South Africa for the BBC, Chris accepted the job as national news editor of the newly-founded e.tv. He then branched out into documentary production at e.tv, directing and producing numerous films, which were broadcast locally and internationally. In recent years, he has pursued his other great passion – beekeeping – and now works as a commercial beekeeper.

François du Toit

François du Toit is acknowledged as one of South Africa’s leading concert pianists and musicians. He is an Associate Professor of Piano and Head of Practical Studies at the University of Cape Town. During his period of study, he distinguished himself in several international competitions. He has over 40 concertos in his repertoire, ranging from Bach to Scharwenka and has performed the concerto premieres of many South African composers. François recorded all five Beethoven piano concertos with the Cape Philharmonic Orchestra under the baton of Victor Yampolsky. In 2017 he received the Creative Works Award from UCT.

James Grace

James Grace has been described by local media as a “South African icon” and is one of South Africa’s leading concert artists, having appeared with all the major South African orchestras and at the national arts festival. He studied at the Royal College of Music in London where upon graduating he received the Tagore Gold Medal, an annual award presented to the most outstanding student. James is currently Head of Classical Guitar Studies at the University of Cape Town’s College of Music. James’ seventh solo studio album Andaluza – Music of Spain III received the SAMA for Best Classical Album 2019.

Kent Stephens

Kent Stephens has practiced in the architectural profession since 2002. He has a deep passion for music, which was cultivated from a young age by family and later nurtured and developed by the New Apostolic Church. As an oboist and chorister, he has performed with various groups. Later in his musical journey Kent was appointed chorus master and toured successfully with both the choir and orchestra locally and internationally. Highlights include conducting Mozart’s Requiem with the Berlin Symphoniker in 2015 and preparing the chorus for Beethoven’s 9th Symphony which was performed at the Cape Town City Hall in 2016.

Lynn Reid Jacobs

Lynn Reid Jacobs matriculated from Herschel Girls School, graduated from Barkley House and taught at Diocesan College Pre – Prep. Over the years, she was involved in volunteer fundraising event, raising substantial sums for charities in the Western Cape. In 1988, Lynn was appointed to the Herschel Council on which she served for 22 years, the last eight years of which, she was the first woman chairman. For 30 years she ran an interior decorating business. Lynn is a passionate cook, enthusiastic gardener, inveterate traveller and interested in art and music.

Tanja Bosch

Tanja Bosch is an Associate Professor of Media Studies and Production in the Centre for Film and Media Studies at the University of Cape Town, where she also holds the position of Deputy Dean of Research and Postgraduate Affairs. She teaches journalism and multimedia production, social media, radio studies, and research methods at undergraduate and postgraduate level. Her first book, Broadcasting Democracy: Radio and Identity in South Africa, was published in 2017. Her second monograph, Social Media and Everyday Life in South Africa explores how South Africans use social media apps for personal and group identity formation.

Victoria Cawood

Victoria Cawood joined FMR as a volunteer shortly before the station’s first birthday. She managed Arts Diary and was then appointed to the staff as assistant to Leslie McKenzie, taking on responsibility for membership and basic bookkeeping. When FMR moved to Artscape she was appointed assistant station manager and upon Leslie’s retirement became station manager. During this time Victoria also served on the board of Cape Town City Ballet and became chairperson for some years. Post retirement, but pre-Covid, she taught reading/literacy at a remedial level in a junior school in Lavender Hill.