Sale of ODID Painting to Fund African Scholarships
A painting by South African artist Irma Stern, which was given to ODID by the Oppenheimer family, will be sold later this month to help fund scholarships for African students at the University.
'Portrait of a young Mpondo' which was painted in 1935 and given to the department in the1950s, will be sold at the Bonhams South African sale on 17 October. The painting is estimated to be worth £200,000 to £300,000.
The money will go towards scholarships for African students who wish to study on ODID's postgraduate programmes, with the department aiming to admit the first scholarship student in 2013.
'This wonderful Stern portrait of a young African warrior has hung on our walls for many years and it will be sad to let it go, but the resources from the sale will make a significant contribution to the lives of young scholars,' said ODID's Professor Valpy FitzGerald.
Sir Ernest Oppenheimer was a key benefactor to Queen Elizabeth House from its foundation.