Event to honour legendary artist Mama Esther Mahlangu

Deputy Minister of Sport, Arts and Culture Peace Mabe will on Tuesday, host the latest edition of the Van Toeka Af Living Legends Recognition Series in honour of Mama Esther Mahlangu. The event will take place at the Mama Esther Mahlangu Cultural Village in KwaMhlanga, Mpumalanga.

The Department of Sport, Arts and Culture (DSAC) established the Van Toeka Af Living Legends Recognition Series to pay tribute to South Africans who have made exceptional and lasting contributions to the country’s arts, culture and heritage sectors. The initiative recognises these individuals as national treasures who have used their talents to preserve and promote South African identity and creativity.

Since its launch in 2015, the series has celebrated many icons including jazz musician Dr Abdullah Ibrahim, actor and playwright Dr John Kani, and pianist Dr Tete Mbambisa, among others. The programme not only honours these artists but also provides support and engagement opportunities that help sustain their legacies and encourage knowledge sharing with younger generations.

This year’s event will celebrate the life and work of Mama Esther Mahlangu, one of South Africa’s most renowned artists and cultural ambassadors. Born in 1935 in the Ndebele village of Middelburg, Mpumalanga, Mahlangu is a global symbol of African art and heritage. She is best known for her distinctive Ndebele mural painting and beadwork, which she has preserved and promoted internationally for more than six decades.

Mama Mahlangu began painting at the age of ten, learning the traditional Ndebele style from her mother and grandmother. Her use of bold geometric patterns and bright colours became her signature style, earning her international acclaim. She first gained global recognition in 1989 when she participated in a group exhibition titled Magiciens de la Terre at the Centre Pompidou in Paris, where her work captivated global audiences.

In 1991, she became the first African artist to collaborate with a major automobile manufacturer when BMW commissioned her to paint a BMW 525i as part of its Art Car Series. Her design, inspired by Ndebele patterns, transformed the vehicle into a moving canvas that celebrated African culture. The car is now housed in the BMW Museum in Munich, Germany, and remains one of the most recognised pieces in the global art car collection.

Over the years, Mama Mahlangu’s work has been exhibited in more than 20 countries, including the United States, Japan, Italy and France. She has received numerous honours, including honorary doctorates from the University of Johannesburg and the University of South Africa, in recognition of her contribution to visual arts and cultural preservation.

The Department of Sport, Arts and Culture said the event aims to honour her lifelong commitment to safeguarding and promoting Ndebele traditions while inspiring future generations of South African artists. Deputy Minister Mabe will lead the proceedings, joined by cultural practitioners, government officials and members of the community.

Through the Van Toeka Af Living Legends Recognition Series, the department seeks to ensure that artists such as Mama Mahlangu receive recognition while they are still alive, and that their stories continue to inspire others. The initiative also serves as a platform to document and archive the contributions of South Africa’s creative icons.

The ceremony in KwaMhlanga is expected to include performances, tributes and a formal presentation recognising Mama Mahlangu’s extraordinary role as a custodian of South African heritage. The department said her work embodies the essence of the Living Legends initiative, which is to celebrate those whose creativity has shaped the nation’s cultural landscape.

Author

Ntombi Nkosi