A TALENTED crafter and creative, Scelo Mhlongo, whose work celebrates everything Proudly South African, will feature at the Woza Moya Artist Wall this month.

The concept behind the Woza Moya Artists’ Wall and Artists’ Cards is to create and showcase artists’ work. Each month a different artist is paid to paint or sculpt a feature piece on a 1.1m x 1.1m wall panel which is displayed outside the Woza Moya Hillcrest Aids Centre shop.

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Woza Moya is the economic empowerment project of the Hillcrest Aids Centre Trust and assists the artist by marketing their work for the entire month. A greeting card is made of the painted wall panel and sold in their shops so the artists can earn an ongoing passive income.

This has worked well with artists earning from R200 to R1000 a month from the sale of the cards. The Woza Moya Artists’ Wall thanked the 100% Foundation for coming on board with an ongoing sponsorship and making this monthly event possible.

About the artist
Based in Umlazi, Mhlongo has been part of the Woza Moya family for many years. He is known for his beautifully hand-painted art pieces (jewellery, fridge magnets, and earrings) inspired by South African culture and everyday life. His creations are filled with colour, character, and heart. Now, Mhlongo brings something exciting to the spotlight, his collection of hand-painted Makarapa hard hats.

Each piece is painted with the names and colours of our beloved South African sports teams such as Bafana Bafana and the Springboks, turning the classic Makarapa into a joyful expression of national pride.

The Makarapa was first created in 1979 by Alfred Baloyi at a Soweto soccer match, originally as a way to stay safe from flying objects in the stands.

“Over time, it evolved into a vibrant symbol of South African creativity and unity, a legacy Scelo proudly continues through his art. The word ‘makarapa’ itself comes from isiXhosa, meaning ‘scrapers’ a reference to migrant workers who left rural areas to ‘scrape’ a living in the mines and construction sites of the cities.

“These men would often return home wearing the hard hats used on the job, and eventually the term came to refer to the helmets themselves,” said Woza Moya’s Paula Thomson.

By the time South Africa was selected to host the 2010 FIFA World Cup, makarapas had become a national symbol. They were even present in Zürich during the announcement, and in 2009, FIFA President Sepp Blatter was gifted a makarapa during an inspection visit, a moment that marked its global recognition.

But today, Thomson notes that makarapas are becoming harder to find.

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“One of our clients recently searched high and low for one to gift a loved one and we couldn’t find a single one. That moment reminded us that makarapas are slowly disappearing, and with them, a piece of our cultural heritage.”

Working with limited resources, Mhlongo buys only the primary colours, red, blue, and yellow, and mixes them by hand to create the shades he needs. His dedication and ingenuity shine through every piece, reflecting a deep love for his craft. He hopes to gain access to more creative tools and materials so he can keep experimenting and exploring new forms of art.

Mhlongo’s makarapas can also be commissioned and customised to suit any client’s needs, whether it’s company logos, event branding, or personal messages. Each piece is a one-of-a-kind creation that blends tradition with personal expression.

Visit the Artist Wall this month to experience Mhlongo’s Makarapa Collection, a colourful celebration of South African pride, passion, and creativity.

Woza Moya is the economic empowerment project of the Hillcrest AIDS Centre Trust.

Shop opening times:

Monday to Friday: 08:00 – 16:00 Woza Moya Hillcrest Aids Centre Trust, 26 Old Main Road, Hillcrest

Monday to Friday: 09:00 – 17:00 Woza Moya, Kloof Fields Centre

Saturdays 08:00 – 14:00 HACT and 09:00 – 14:00 Kloof Fields shop

Email: wozamoya@hillaids.org.za

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