LIMPOPO – The Greater Giyani Municipality (GGM) has officially announced the winner of the competition it launched last year to find a creative and visually appealing design for a town gateway.

The initiative, with an R100 000 prize, aimed to create an eye-catching entrance that would not only enhance the town’s aesthetic appeal but also serve as a welcoming landmark for tourists visiting Giyani. The competition attracted 38 participants, each presenting unique and innovative concepts representing the town’s cultural heritage, natural beauty, and modern development.

After a thorough selection process, the municipality has finally chosen a design that best aligns with its vision.

The winner of the competition is Jeffery Tinyiko Maluri, a 45-year-old artist from Section E in Giyani. Maluri is not just an ordinary artist but an accomplished and well-established figure in the art world. He owns an art gallery in Sandton, a prestigious business hub in Johannesburg, where his work is showcased and celebrated.

Winning competitions is nothing new to him, as he has built a strong reputation for artistic excellence over the years. Just last year in May, he secured first place in the highly competitive Art World Competition held in Dubai, an achievement that solidified his status as an internationally recognised artist.

His artistic talent and experience made him a strong contender in this competition, and his winning design is expected to leave a lasting impact as the official town gateway for Giyani.

When asked about the win, Maluri expressed his joy and excitement at the thought of having his artwork displayed at the entrance to Giyani town.

“I feel great knowing that my artwork will represent Giyani. It will be a wonderful feeling to come home every day and pass by the monument I designed, especially knowing that it represents us well as Vatsonga,” he said.

Asked why he did not attend the event to receive the award in person, Maluri explained that the announcement caught him off guard, and he was not in Giyani when the event date was confirmed.

“My absence does not mean that I undermined the event in any way. I travel a lot, and when this event took place, I was not in Giyani. However, I am truly honoured to have been chosen as the winner. As an artist, I know that competition is never easy,” he said.

Speaking on behalf of the Giyani mayor, Councillor Dimpho Hlungwani encouraged the participants not to be discouraged by not winning the competition, reminding them that they have a bright future ahead if they make the right choices. She told them that Giyani lacks art display sites where people can purchase artwork and that this was a great opportunity for them to take the initiative and establish such spaces.

“If you look at Giyani, we do not have people displaying art on the streets like in other cities. This should challenge you to create something that we can see displayed on the streets,” she said, encouraging them to work together towards achieving a common goal. Judging by what I saw today, I am convinced that if you work together, you can go far. With your skills, you can even open an art gallery where people can come and buy your work,” she said before congratulating the day’s winner.