Minister Gayton McKenzie invites applications for Independent Panel members to help address a governance crisis at South Africa’s National Arts Council (NAC), according to IOL. The call for panel participation is positioned as part of efforts to restore stable oversight and strengthen governance amid ongoing turmoil affecting the arts council. While details on the specific mandate, timeframes, or selection criteria are not provided in the available excerpt, the announcement indicates the minister is moving to establish an independent mechanism to review or guide the NAC’s situation. The request for independent panel members suggests an approach aimed at injecting external oversight rather than relying solely on internal structures. The report frames the move as a response to continued instability within the NAC and as an attempt to bring governance back in line with expectations. Further information on the number of seats, eligibility requirements, application deadlines, and the panel’s scope is not included in the material provided. Overall, the sources agree that an application process is underway for an independent panel connected to the NAC crisis.