James Ball

James Ball is a cultural researcher, history teacher and a founder of The Heritage Portal

Biography

He obtained a BA degree in history from Rhodes University (2001 - 2004) and, after a stint in the corporate world, a BA Hons (2011) and an MA in history at the University of the Witwatersrand (Distinction, 2012). In 2012 he initiated and became the curator of The Heritage Portal and its various projects and in 2013 he also began working as a (private) Cambridge History Lecturer at various institutions - including private tutoring (2013-2022).

In 2022 he became a Senior Visitor Experience Officer at the National Trust in Chedworth, England.

Contribution to South African theatre, film, media and performance

He founded The Heritage Portal in 2012, an invaluable site for information on people and venues associated with the history and archival preservation of arts and culture of South Africa. Notably so for some of South Africa’s most endangered heritage sites, including historic theatre and performance venues. He also co-founded and ran The Heritage Register (2014-2018) and The Heritage Monitoring Project (2014-2018).