Alex artist Fumani Maluleke’s dream trip to the US on ice
Somalian Ambassador to South Africa Mohamed Ali Mire brought Alex artist Fumani Maluleke’s dream of exhibiting his signature xitheves artwork in the US closer to realisation with a ticket pledge.
A dream trip for Alex artist Fumani Walter Maluleke to travel to the United States to exhibit his artwork at the New York Art Expo later this month has been put on ice.
Maluleke, who was due to depart for the New York Art Expo a few days before the exhibition scheduled for November 29, has had the trip deferred to March 30 next year due to the fact that funding delays had scuppered the trip.
“We’re behind the dates to process the visa requirements on time as our team of fundraisers has not rested in its quest to see that Maluleke’s dream is realised as we continue to plod on in our fundraising efforts.
“This postponement of the trip comes with a lot of implications since there is time and effort invested on the trip and preparations for both Maluleke and us as the fundraising team,” says Refilwe Pieterse, head of the fundraising team, Alex arts creative and poet.
The xitheve signature artist, as the traditional African mats are known in his native Xitsonga language, needed to raise R185 000 to cover the traveling costs, accommodation and meals, administration expenses and internal travel requirements to and from the expo as well.
Somalian Ambassador to South Africa, His Excellency Mohamed Ali Mire pledged to sponsor a return ticket to the Big Apple for the budding artist. The ambassador made the pledge at an International African Art Business Brunch fundraising event at Siga Culinary on East Bank Avenue in Alexandra on September 8.
The event was hosted by Symbols of Resilience in association with AlexBiz, which forms the core of fundraisers led by Pieterse of Symbols of Resilience. She believes they have enough time to continue to prepare and communicate with US galleries.
Pieterse also said South African artist and legend living in the US Nelson Makama was looking forward to welcoming Maluleke upon his arrival in that country. “Our gratitude goes to all those involved and those supportive in efforts to make Maluleke’s dream come to be realised,” Pieterse added.
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