Gifted time to enjoy the Fine Arts

At the Boys’ College, we have integrated the Cultural programme into the timetable providing our culture students time to engage in their various cultural activities. At the same time, we have created opportunities for all our students to explore the Culture pillars through guest artists, speakers, and performances. Students who are not always able to attend cultural activities because of commitments to sport and academics can get involved in the Art, Drama, Music, and Oratory space.

Our first event of the year was hosted on 24 January 2023. We were privileged to have the former Deputy President of South Africa, Dr Phumzile Mlambo-Ngcuka and two South African artists, Azael Langa and Mbongeni Buthelezi in attendance. They were accompanied by two visitors from Copenhagen, Denmark, Maria Torp (artist) and Niels Ole Sorenson her photographer. Maria has been commissioned to paint Dr Phumzile’s painting as part of a series of men and women around the world who are activists for positive change and a better world.

Ethan John a member of our Art Club eloquently introduced the visitors as follows:
“These two artists, Azael Langa and Mbongeni Buthelezi use unique mediums to project their ideas in society today. Azael Langa is a practicing artist and entrepreneur who has participated in art fairs locally and internationally. His works reflect socio-political reality through his signature medium of smoke drawing. He draws from the literal and symbolic imagery about topical issues in the rich South African discourse. His works and pieces are a socially sensitive yet politically transformative communiqué reflecting dreams, challenging beliefs and a meaningful interrogation of subjects that define our existential reality.

Mbongeni Buthelezi’s unique art style incorporates plastic that he cuts into pieces and glues onto a canvas which creates surfaces and structures with changing tones and colors. His use of this material is to create an awareness of environmental problems and the physical decay of townships as well as references to social and political impoverishment. Through his work, he wishes to communicate the hope that it is possible to create a better life and a career out of nothing.

It was a real honour and privilege to have had the opportunity to engage and learn from such influential change-makers.