History behind Purple Shall Govern mural
JOBURG - The story behind The Purple Shall Govern mural in Braamfontein has more historical ties than you probably realise and is one that you’ll definitely find interesting.
On a gloomy day in Joburg, City Buzz walked through Braamfontein with Mzansi Girl who shared with us the history of the famous Nelson Mandela mural at 70 Juta.
“I can’t remember the exact date,” said Mzansi Girl blogger, Meruschka Govender.
“But there was an anti-apartheid protest taking place and at that time the ANC slogan was ‘the people shall govern’ and that’s what they were fighting for.”
According to South African History Online, the protest which took place in 1989, is now known in history as The Purple Rain Protest and it took place in Cape Town.
Time magazine has noted the protest for its iconic imagery as well as its role in stopping apartheid in South Africa.
“In an effort to identify all the people who were protesting, the police sprayed the crowds with purple paint so that they could be found later to be charged.” ?? who said this Time or Girl?
One of the protesters got a hold of the spray gun used to paint the crowds and proceeded to spray a number of buildings in the CBD.
The eight-storey painting, which plays on the events of that day, was produced by American Rhodes University student, Shepard Fairey, who forms part of the Obey collective. The group was born from activist Fairey’s street art, graphic designs and love of skateboard culture.
They have made a number of statement art pieces in the city, but The Purple Shall Govern mural – a play on the words of pre-1994 ANC, ‘the people shall govern’ – was painted to pay homage to the spirit of Nelson Mandela on the 25th anniversary of the famous protest.
Braamfontein and Shepard Fairey have taken history to the people by painting the famous mural that adds to the rich culture of South Africa.
Details: imgur.com/a/NxKdK; content.time.com; www.mzansigirl.co.za
