Dr Esther Mahlangu, the internationally revered Ndebele artist, celebrated her 90th birthday in a heartfelt tribute at the Kghodwana Cultural Village in KwaMhlanga this week.
The occasion was marked by dignitaries, family and admirers, and highlighted her tireless dedication to preserving and advancing Ndebele artistic traditions.
Born on 11 November 1935 in Middelburg, Mpumalanga, Mahlangu began painting as a child under the guidance of her mother and grandmother, learning the traditional mural techniques passed down in her community.
Over the decades she transformed this heritage into a global language of art, her bold, geometric Ndebele motifs have been applied to everything from canvases and buildings to cars and sculptures.
At the celebration, Deputy Minister of Sport, Arts and Culture, Peace Mabe, officially inducted her into the Van Toeka Af Living Legends Recognition Series, paid tribute befitting one of South Africa’s most cherished cultural icons.
Mahlangu’s grandson, Xoli, delivered an emotional tribute. He reflected on her legacy, discipline, and how she instilled respect, resilience and creative ambition in her family. “Her turning a year older means a lot to us … we want her to witness [her legacy] reach even greater heights,” he said.
Despite her age, the artist remains deeply committed to her work and her community. She continues to nurture younger generations through her art studio, opened in her honour in Siyabusiswa.
Her passion for passing on Ndebele technique has never waned: she regularly teaches both family and aspiring artists in her home, ensuring that the bold patterns and stories she shares live on.
Globally, her influence is vast. Mahlangu’s work has been exhibited in major institutions such as the British Museum, the Guggenheim in Bilbao, the Smithsonian, and Centre Pompidou and she has received numerous honours, including an honorary doctorate and France’s Order of Arts and Letters.
As South Africa and the world celebrate this milestone, Dr Esther Mahlangu remains, in the words of many, not just a national treasure but a matriarch of contemporary African art.click on Read Original,if you are reading from phoenix to read full article
𝗙𝗼𝗹𝗹𝗼𝘄 𝗢𝘂𝗿 𝗪𝗵𝗮𝘁𝘀𝗔𝗽𝗽 𝗖𝗵𝗮𝗻𝗻𝗲𝗹 𝗧𝗼 𝗚𝗲𝘁 𝗟𝗮𝘁𝗲𝘀𝘁 𝗡𝗲𝘄𝘀 𝗔𝘀 𝗜𝘁'𝘀 𝗗𝗿𝗼𝗽!
