Mural honours Dr Esther Mahlangu
The legendary visual artist was honoured at Waterfall City on September 27.
Waterfall City unveiled a new mural on Friday, September 27, paying tribute to the iconic Dr Esther Mahlangu.
Mahlangu is a well-known Ndebele artist, a globally acclaimed visual artist and a multi-award-winner.
This vibrant artwork is situated at entrance 12 of the Mall of Africa and marks a key milestone in the ongoing Waterfall City Beautification Project. The unveiling event was attended by various guests and stakeholders, including the Mpumalanga MEC for sport, arts, culture and recreation, Leah Mabuza, and the award-winning musician and artist, Nathi Mankayi.
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During her address, Jackie van Niekerk, the CEO of Attacq, reiterated the company’s unwavering commitment to fostering the creative sector in South Africa. The concept for the mural was initially conceived by MyArts International in 2018. However, it was only this year that the Hartbeespoort-based arts development company received approval from Waterfall City. They subsequently collaborated with the Mmabana Foundation to engage artists for this significant initiative.
The Mahikeng-based artists from Mmabana who contributed to this ambitious project include Sipho Tshabalala, Jarious Matube, Gaonakala Moepeng, Goldish Setilo, Moakufi Mmomo and Mothusi Louw. They were joined by a renowned Ndebele artist, Skhumbuzo Masango, who was assisted by another artist, Khosinathi Khumalo.
Denis Ackulay, the chief director of MyArts International, emphasised the critical role of corporate South Africa in nurturing local talent and embracing innovative artistic ideas. “We began this project in 2018 with the initial mural slated for Sandton outside the Convention Centre. However, due to bureaucratic hurdles related to public road usage, we redirected our efforts towards the Mall of Africa and Waterfall City, aligning the project with their beautification initiatives,” he said.
Our next project will emphasise inclusivity by featuring more female artists, ensuring equal opportunities within the creative community.
This mural represents a historic moment, not only because it is the first South African mural to honour the legendary Gogo Mahlangu, but also because it is the first large-scale Ndebele mural created on staircases – a true testament to artistic ingenuity.
“We are excited about future initiatives like this, which are already in the pipeline not just for South Africa, but also for international collaborations that will allow our local artists to showcase their talents in major cities worldwide. Our next project will emphasise inclusivity by featuring more female artists, ensuring equal opportunities within the creative community,” said Ackulay.
MyArts International extended its sincerest gratitude to all the stakeholders involved, including Attacq, the Mall of Africa and the Esther Mahlangu and the Mmabana foundations, for their invaluable support in making this landmark project a reality.
