A visual arts and local market experience await residents of
Galeshewe and surroundings in Kimberley with the Mayibuye Visual Arts and
Heritage Experience.
This event takes place over 11 days, starting on Wednesday,
1 November at the historic law office of late Robert Mangaliso Sobukwe at the
Mayibuye Memorial Precinct. It concludes on Saturday, 11 November with a main
event from 10:00 to 18:00, and entails a fun-filled township experience with
food, fashion, music and the exhibition of local art works, stated Joel
Setlhabi, a director of the Teemaneng Arts and Tourism Organization and a
member of the Galeshewe Youth Network.
The art exhibition, for the duration of the 11 days, will be
hosted by Bokhutlo Makhale, a well-renowned local visual artist with more than
20 years’ experience as a visual artist and writer, amongst other.
“The art on exhibition is a team effort of the visual
artists directed by Makhale. The artists
also have their individual artworks and murals they have worked on,” said
Setlhabi.
These artists are Makhale, Kgotso Mofokeng, Mosekiemang
Kola, Thabo Bosman, Thataone Tawane, Tshepang Mothelesi, Kabelo Moses, Tshiamo
Phiri and Kabo Mokwele.
The murals depict the massacre of 8 November 1952 during the
Mayibuye Uprising in Galeshewe, and this year marks its 71st anniversary, a day
during which 13 people were shot and killed, and 78 injured.
Connected to the Mayibuye Memorial Precinct are amongst
other the Abantu Hall, the Matlalo Police Station, the first kindergarden,
polio clinic, first barber shop and the No. 1 Beerhall. The area was earmarked
for tourism and township economic development in 2006 as part of the Galeshewe
Urban Renewal Project.
Through this event a collective effort in the restoration
and preservation of the township heritage and tourism facilities will be
encouraged.
Makhale stated that the art project aims to create a
platform for emerging visual artists, and by that stimulating the township
economy by promoting small businesses to exhibit local products that Galeshewe
has to offer. Also, it aims to educate the community on the rich history and
heritage of the township, and how to preserve these landmarks that are
vandalised and destroyed.
The event is free to attend. For more information, visit
Instagram (@tato; @mayibuye053 and @galesheweyouth), or Teemaneng Arts and
Tourism Organization on Facebook.
