Samanthole Arts Foundation

Stepping into the International Convention Centre Cape Town for this year's edition of the Investec Cape Town Art Fair felt akin to entering MoMA in New York City, with a bustling crowd eagerly queuing to immerse themselves in the world of art. After a hiatus caused by the COVID-19 pandemic and subsequent lockdowns, the fair roared back to life, showcasing an incredible variety of booths from across the globe, with a notable emphasis on local artists and galleries. Investec Cape Town Art Fair 2024 .  One of the highlights was the impressive array of works by Kimati Mafafo, presented by Ebony Gallery, offering a captivating perspective. However, it was the WALL booth from Cape Town that truly stole the show for me, boasting a stellar collection of South African masters alongside emerging talents, providing a privileged opportunity for the public to engage with these significant works. Kimathi Mafafo, Sisters in Unison III, hand and machine stitched embroidery

The Iziko South African National Gallery in Cape Town is currently hosting a captivating retrospective exhibition titled "Then I Knew That I Was Good At Painting" by the esteemed Dr. Esther Mahlangu, curated by Dr. Nontobeko Ntombela. This exhibition offers a profound journey through Mahlangu's remarkable career, spanning from 1980 to 2023, showcasing her evolution as an artist and cultural icon. Panel of 88 Block Paintings to mark 88 years of Mme Esther Mahlangu. Photo Courtesy of Khehla Chepape Makgato Photography As visitors step into the gallery, they are greeted by a poignant timeline, tracing Mahlangu's formative years at Botshabelo Missionary Station, where she dedicated almost a decade to mastering the art of painting professionally. This timeline serves as a testament to Mahlangu's perseverance and dedication to her craft, highlighting her numerous exhibitions, awards, commissions, and travels over the years. One of the exhibition's stando

"Dolly Rathebe - Queen of African Jazz, Blues & Mbaqanga" by Nokuthula Mazibuko Msimang vividly captures the multifaceted life of a remarkable woman. The biography beautifully weaves together the threads of Dolly Rathebe's journey as a cover girl, actress, model, lover, and shebeen Queen across Port Elizabeth, Cape Town, and Mabopane. Msimang skillfully paints a tapestry of the vibrant arts and pop culture of 1950s South Africa, showcasing the resilience and trailblazing spirit of a black woman who defied societal norms to become a model and film star. This book is a captivating exploration of Rathebe's pioneering role in an era where such achievements were not the norm for black individuals, providing a valuable glimpse into a transformative period in history. In a captivating narrative, Msimang skillfully guides readers through the vibrant tapestry of Dolly Rathebe's life. Drawing on the voices of friends, colleagues, arts writers, and music hist

The art of being human 18 Oct 2015 Mandy de Waal and Jon Pienaar The term “ubuntu” has been overtraded in recent years. The South Africanism that is a philosophy is now a brand. There’s an Ubuntu Cola and Mark Shuttleworth’s version of an open-source operating system, called Ubuntu Linux, which also features a custom font called ubuntu. In popular culture there’s a character named Ubuntu who features in the satirical animated TV cartoon called The Goode Family, and in the Portuguese second division there’s The Ubuntu Rugby team that is attached to Academia Ubuntu, a nonformal education project for African immigrants. Add to this businesses such as Ubuntu Gaz, Ubuntu Plumbing and the masses of other business named after the popular philosophy, and one gets a sense of how diluted this ideology has become. Returning to the roots of ubuntu  But artist Khehla Chepape Makgato is giving this uniquely African philosophy new resonance, because every aspect of his work as an artist and a human b

MEDIA STATEMENT Attention: Journalists and News Editors  Moses D. Rasekele presents the Khebhebhe Residency and Festival Moses D. Rasekele, the director of Khebhebhe Centre for the Arts returns with an artistic developmental project to be held in Bolobedu from September 30th to December 16th, 2023. Through this project, we will continue to empower, share knowledge, and equip the youth of the Mopani District with skills to pursue careers in creative industries. Continuing on the success of Khebhebhe Arts Project wherein the focus was on skills transferal through training, mentorship for actors that led to creation of five theatre productions and a platform to showcase. This year’s edition presents the Khebhebhe Residency and Festival, aimed at aspiring directors, writers, facilitators, and all round art practitioners who may have creative ideas or theatre scripts to be developed, mentored and presented at the next edition of Khebhebhe Drama Festival. KRaF is funded by the Na

The William Humphreys Art Gallery (WHAG) is proud to present a solo exhibition of the renowned South African artist, writer and poet Peter E. Clarke (1929-2014), from 29th of August to 31stof October. The exhibition, titled For Some the Pathway to Education Lies Between Thorns, showcases Clarke’s linocut and woodcut prints, rarest paintings and watercoluor drawings that explore the themes of education, space and social justice. For Some, Path To Education Lies Between Thorns, Linocut Colour Reductions, by Peter E. Clarke, 2008 Clarke was born in Simon’s Town, a naval town near Cape Town, and grew up under the oppressive apartheid regime. He was forced to relocate to Ocean View, a designated area for coloured people, in 1972. Despite the hardships and discrimination he faced, he pursued his artistic passion and became one of the most influential and celebrated artists in South Africa and abroad. In 2005 he was awarded the Order of Ikhamanga (Silver) by President Thabo Mbeki for Excellen

The overture is reminiscent of modern struggle songs that mirror apartheid-era liberation chants. The stage set is really simple, with one elegantly upholstered bench and an oak-like puzzle on the floor and wall. One puzzle piece lies outside the carpet - a misplaced piece that suggests that something is missing. This theatre presentation suggests that justice for the poor is that missing piece. A door lit on the far right hand side of the wall serves as a wine and liquor storage. Tsebo Rapoo as Tshireletso Nkoane, Lebogang Motaung as Qiniso Nxumalo and Xolile Gama as Ronald Mulaudzi. Pic by Mark Wessels.    Khongolose Khommanding Khommissars - a stage work written by J Bobs Tshabalala, the Standard Bank Young Artist Award Winner for Theatre 2020 - is directed by Theatre Duo, Mahlatsi Mokgonyana and Billy Langa, assisted by Ketsia Velaphi. The show is being performed at the Market Theatre's main John Kani Theatre. This thought-provoking political satire is artistica