Nando’s celebrates local artist

WHEN people think of Nando’s they think about the mouth-watering peri-peri chicken or the well-known red and black rooster that is part of the proudly South African restaurant chain’s logo.

Nando’s however has also become known for showcasing South African art and boosting the careers of local artists. “Peri-peri chicken is what we know best, so we partnered with Spier Arts Trust because they know art,” said Kirsty Niehaus, who heads up the Nando’s Art Initiative. “We’ve worked together to develop art programmes that nurture and develop local artists, enabling them to take the next steps not just in their art practice, but in their careers as professionals too.”

“The restaurant franchise has been investing in art since 2001 and in the last 20 years has grown its art initiative to include five different artist development programmes. “

“Our programmes have supported more than 350 artists regularly and our art is displayed in 1 200 restaurants in 24 countries. We have more than 21 000 artworks in our collection, making us the largest private collector of contemporary South African art in the world,” said Niehaus.

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South Africa is a well of creativity and fine art and Nando’s had tapped into this to uncover the various talents that reside in the country.

One such talented local artist is Nkoali Nawa, who started as a gold mineworker, before moving into art-making. In doing so, he obtained a diploma and degree in fine art from Technikon Free State. His drawing and painting works depict the daily struggles of impoverished South African communities, the harsh working conditions of miners, as well as the intergenerational distress caused by the colonial structure of migrant labour systems. Connecting to his days as a mineworker, Nawa produces beautiful charcoal art pieces. The lightweight black carbon residue is his favourite art tool.

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The 57-year-old’s artwork caught the attention of the Nando’s Art Initiative and he now has pieces displayed in over five Nando’s branches across KwaZulu-Natal (KZN). His latest artwork was recently launched on February 24 at Nando’s Berea Centre. Media correspondents, influencers and Nando’s representatives came out to witness the unveiling of the creator’s artwork and all happily took part in a charcoal art workshop. Peet Opperman, general manager for Nando’s KZN had this to say about the Cape Town artist, “Nkoali was a miner, so he is familiar with charcoal. His art pieces symbolise how we as a country rose from the ashes, in the past but also over these last two years, there have been hardships for all of us and his art, I think, depicts those hardships very well,” said Opperman. You can find Nawa’s charcoal artwork at Nando’s Empangeni, Nando’s Umlazi, Nando’s Church Street (Pietermaritzburg), Nando’s Pine Crest and Nando’s at Berea Centre.

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