REVIEW: A Luta Continua Exhibition: Honouring Justice Yvonne Mokgoro
The traveling exhibition A Luta Continua, curated by Catherine Kennedy, the CCAC Manager, and her curatorial team, is currently on display at the William Humphreys Art Gallery in Kimberley, Northern Cape. Officially opened on 1 August 2024, the exhibition marks a celebration of Women’s Month and offers a reflective exploration of 30 years of democracy through the lens of art and justice.
The opening event was highlighted by Justice Albie Sachs, who not only presided over the premiere screening of the short film titled Where Art Meets Justice at CCAC but also provided a keynote address that outlined the genesis of this collection.
The guest of honour at the opening included Justice Yvonne Mokgoro’s family and friends, notably Professor Tebogo Job Mokgoro, Judge President Tlaletsi Lazarus Pule Tlaletsi of the Northern Cape, and Professor Russel Viljoen, Dean of the Faculty of Humanities at Sol Plaatje University. This exhibition serves as a profound tribute to Justice Mokgoro, honouring her substantial contributions to South Africa’s judicial and cultural heritage.
In 1994, Justice Mokgoro, alongside Justice Albie Sachs, was tasked with serving on the Art and Deco Committee for the Constitutional Court. This committee, working with a modest budget of R10,000, was responsible for both the architectural design and art acquisition for the new court. Their goal was to create a space reflecting the values of South Africa’s emerging democracy, drawing on the African tradition of kgoro or kgotla—a communal gathering place for resolving disputes under a tree by elders.
The competition for the court’s architectural design was open to architects worldwide, and the winning submission was crafted by young architects Janina Masojada and Andrew Makin from Durban, and Paul Wygers from Johannesburg. Their design, based on the concept of "justice under a tree," integrates art into the court’s architecture, resulting in a unique and progressive space that is both visually striking and culturally resonant.
Justice Mokgoro’s perspective on the court’s design is captured in her reflection: "The court, the building tells a whole story about the type of democracy - everybody's heritage, everybody's place. You don't pay to go to that court and sit there, you know, in the foyer. You just sit there and ponder, there's so much in the foyer that makes you think about how we are as South Africans. It gives you an idea of a struggle. Those wall bricks, the old wall which was part of the prison, deepens the struggle."
Artist:Joseph Ndlovu
Year made:1995
Artwork type:Textile
Medium:Handwoven fibre
Dimensions (mm):2080 x 1865
Among the art acquired with the limited budget was Joseph Ndlovu’s Humanity. This tapestry, purchased with part of the R10,000 budget, reflects the themes of humanity and social interdependence enshrined in the new democratic South Africa’s Bill of Rights. It is now displayed in the traveling exhibition at WHAG, contributing to the exhibition’s exploration of these central themes.
The A Luta Continua exhibition at the William Humphreys Art Gallery resonates with Mokgoro’s vision, showcasing artworks that embody resistance, resilience, and cultural continuity. The vibrant pieces on display, including Ndlovu’s tapestry, reflect Mokgoro’s belief in art’s power to enrich and transform spaces.
As visitors engage with the exhibition in Kimberley, they are invited to celebrate Mokgoro’s legacy and appreciate the profound impact of her vision on South Africa’s judicial and cultural landscape. The exhibition stands as a fitting tribute to a leader whose efforts helped create a court that remains a unique and progressive symbol of justice, inclusivity, and artistic excellence.
The exhibition will conclude on 7th September and travel to KZNSA Gallery, Durban. It will open on Friday 27 September - 10 November 2024
NB: William Humphreys Art Gallery is open from Monday to Friday at 08h00 to 16h30 and Saturday at 09h00 to 14h00. The museum is closed on Sundays and Public Holidays.
Chepape Makgato is an independent visual artist, theatre producer, arts writer, educator, curator, and researcher. He is the founder and creative director of Samanthole Institute of Creative Arts which leads tge Art Focus of Univeristy of Limpopo's FNB Incubation Program. Chepape is a Chief Curator of William Humphreys Art Gallery, in Kimberley, Northern Cape. He holds a Master's Degree in Fine Art from the University of the Witwatersrand and has exhibited his work locally and internationally. He is currently a PhD candidate in the Art and Music Department at the University of South Africa. He is a deputy chairperson of South African Museums Association Central (Free State and Northern Cape provinces). He serves on the panel of Acquisition Committee of ArtBank South Africa. He is the the chief patron of Khehla Chepape Makgato Youth Libraries.
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