An eye-catching piece of art, painted by a local artist Jo-ann Tiechman, transformed a section of Marist Brothers Linmeyer, with the help of the school’s learners, into a history lesson wonderland.
The inventive piece featured a portrait of the late former South African President Nelson Mandela, along with a quote that reads, “What counts in life is not the fact that we lived. It is the difference we have made to the lives of others that will determine the significance of the life we lead.”
For the school, this quote is significant in terms of giving back to the community and it was quite an appropriate quote for the learners as well.
According to the high school principal, Regan Nicholas, he asked the matriculants about the visual legacy they wanted to leave and made a few legendary suggestions before settling on Nelson Mandela.
“It is significant that at a time when South Africa was experiencing so many challenges, we are reminded of Nelson Mandela’s spirit and how he achieved so much at a time when the country was in such a terrible state, and that he embodies the resilience and true spirit of South Africans.
“It is quite significant that our matric class chose Nelson Mandela as their significant figure and the legacy that the learners would like to leave at such a time when so many young people are almost demonising Nelson Mandela.
The quote above his picture ties in with our school’s ethos, which is primarily about serving leadership. I am overjoyed because this indicates that our students have left something at school,” said Nicholas.
“The school will have another mural next year and we are looking forward to the images around our school that will capture the essence of our young generation and their heroes that they want to leave behind in a very visual form,” added Nicholas.
School teacher Claire Reiker said for the first time this year, the school’s matriculants donated money to the artist for the piece to be created.
“The idea was for them to have a mural that would be here forever and represent their class of 2022 so that when they returned in a few years, they would be able to see the mark that they made forever at the school.
“Each learner contributed money and signed the mural. It is a big deal for us because it is the first time and this mural provides a good place, looks good and vibrant and will have a positive impact on the school,” said Reiker.
Jo-ann Teichmann said: “This is a unique mural of colour and heritage. I was able to do it while the learners watched and it was fun because I got to hear their comments, which were very inspiring to me. I hope that this has a good life so that they can come and see their names written at the bottom and remember their time at school and the contribution that they made to the next generation of the school.”
