Tzaneen Municipality’s murals enjoyed by all

TZANEEN – Muralists from around the world have created 26 different works of art at the Tzaneen Municipality.

Andrew Nhlangwini, from the department of sport, arts and culture in the Mopani district and an artist himself, has always had a passion for mural art. While studying for his masters’ degree in art, the Mexican embassy invited him to Mexico to spend time with muralist movements.

He has since met many muralists from other countries, which culminated in this huge project to create murals on the outer municipal walls as well as a little known inner courtyard.

The foreign muralists had never been to South Africa before. They were whisked down colourful Vilikazi Street in Soweto for a walk through the Apartheid Museum and the Hector Pietersen memorial.

Andrew set a South African theme for the murals. The Hector Petersen photograph is depicted and there are impressions of Nelson Mandela, the South African flag, rainbows and men with guns in the artwork.

Jonas Mailula and Frans Phooko from Polokwane created a beautiful mural on one of the outside walls, a study of the rainbow nation with traditional images such as two ladies dressed in national costumes, stirring pap in a big pot with the traditional spoon to feed the rainbow nation. The theme of rainbow nation is carried across the entire wall.

Titus Hlangwini from Nkownkowa, created a symbolic artwork with twisted rope and drops of water. Titus is a second year fine arts student at Funda Art Community College in Soweto. Gladys Nkuna from Mamitwa School near Tzaneen created a typical rural scene.

There were also two muralists from Botswana. Mnloki Matlala created his dotted masterpiece in the inner courtyard and Velias Ndaba painted a lively mural with a vervet monkey in a tree as he’d seen the primates in the gardens of Fairview River Lodge, where they stayed.

There were also muralists from Mozambique and their work grace the front wall of the GTM.

Paint pots, mineral water and oranges were wheeled to the artists in little wired trolleys.

Three Spanish muralists married their culture to African culture on a side wall. On the left side are the national costumes and symbols of their Basque country in Spain and on the other side are African visuals.

A Brazilian muralist also mixed Brazilian imagery with African visuals as did the Argentinian muralists.

There is also an interesting triptych by Viviana Palestini from Argentina.

The muralists were happy to let locals paint with them. Tirhana Sambo (14) watched and then painted with Alberto Cerritos from Canada, one of the masters in the inner courtyard.

Caitlyn Oelofse (3) from Pretoria eventually settled down to paint on the grass with her aunt, Lizandre Viviers, from Tzaneen. She was dismayed that her parents would not let her climb up a high scaffolding to paint a mural.

Tzaneen can be proud to have such exceptional artworks for all to enjoy.