Friendship, art and legacy — why we collect

By Carel Nolte

When my friend Justin Naylor (CEO of iTOO) and I sat down with fabulous (smart, stylish and engaging) Refiloe Mpakanyane on The Latitudes Podcast, it felt a bit like two conversations happening at once. The one a lekker catch-up between friends who’ve been making memories for years and don’t get to see each other enough, but also a deeper look at why art, culture and community matter so profoundly.

• “Art and artists are really the only thing that moves society forward.” — Carel
• “You don’t have to spend a lot of money to buy a print or photograph of a great artwork that means a lot to you.” — Justin

Both points stood out in the discussion. The world often tries to make art feel exclusive. Our view is the opposite: art is one of the most democratic forms of investment and one of the most meaningful.

Art is cultural value and financial value
We spoke about art collecting as something with emotional, cultural and financial worth. Justin, through iTOO Artinsure, reminded listeners that protecting art is not just a technical exercise — it’s a commitment to the broader ecosystem: artists, dealers, framers, shippers, gallery owners, curators. The entire value chain.

And we were aligned on this: you don’t need a giant budget to start. Prints, photographs, editions — they’re accessible entry points that still carry real artistic and future potential monetary value.

African women artists leading the way
The timing of this conversation lands in a moment when African art, especially work by women, is finally receiving the global recognition it deserves.

Marlene Dumas — a South African milestone at the Louvre
In late 2025, Marlene Dumas became the first contemporary woman artist to enter the Louvre’s permanent collection. A South African woman. Nine works. Hanging in one of the most powerful cultural institutions on earth. It is an extraordinary achievement, and a quiet reminder of how far African art has travelled — and how far it can still go.

Billie Zangewa — daily life as power
Billie Zangewa’s hand-sewn silk tapestries, rooted in Black femininity, domesticity and dignity, remind us that art doesn’t need spectacle to be profound. Her global rise — Paris, London, San Francisco — is built on honesty and intimacy. Exactly what Justin and I were talking about.

The list extends far beyond these two — but they demonstrate the point: African women are defining contemporary art, not participating on the sidelines.

Platforms, ecosystems and partnerships that matter
Latitudes Online continues to broaden access to African art, and the RMB Latitudes Art Fair has become one of the most exciting cultural moments on the South African calendar.

RMB has been a major supporter of the creative economy for decades. And CN&CO has been privileged to partner with them many times over the years, and it’s work we’re proud of. The fair isn’t just an event; it’s a signal of what serious, generous corporate partnership can achieve for artists and audiences alike. It’s good business.

EasyEquities has a similar philosophy — democratisation, access, agency. The idea that everyone should be able to participate. Whether in markets or in culture. That’s why I am excited, every day, by the work I do and the people I do it with and for.

Strauss & Co deserves its own mention. Their stewardship of the secondary market, their education initiatives, and their commitment to preserving art heritage underpin a huge amount of the growth we’re seeing. They keep the ecosystem honest and aspirational at the same time.

Friendship and art: two gifts worth protecting
If there is one thread running through the podcast, it is this: art and friendship are among life’s greatest privileges. They ground us. They challenge us. They remind us to stay awake in the world.

It was a real joy to be on this podcast with Justin — an exceptional leader, phenomenal role-model and superb mate. And I hope that you agree with us: you don’t need wealth to begin collecting. You need curiosity. You need to care. You need to believe that beauty, meaning and story have value.

The rest is consistency.

Listen to the podcast here: https://open.spotify.com/episode/1i8pMPWVwAatNhmQQFe03F