The Belmond Mount Nelson Hotel will partner with the Maboneng Township Arts Experience in embracing the 2014 World Design Capital (WDC) title bestowed on the city of Cape Town.
During 2014, the area between the hotel’s ever-popular Planet Bar and Restaurant will be known as the Nkanyezi Gallery, where talented artists from various South African townships will showcase their work.
A star is born
Meaning ‘star’ in Zulu and Xhosa, Nkanyezi is an apt name for this gallery that has brought together The Nellie, Cape Town’s most iconic hotel, and the Maboneng Township Arts Experience, which is a one-of-a-kind project that empowers and inspires township communities through the arts.
Over the past 10 years, Maboneng Township Arts Experience, which was chosen as an official WDC project, has turned over 70 township homes into art galleries, providing artists from townships with a platform to exhibit their work. The popularity of these galleries isn’t just growing in these neighbourhoods. They’re also attracting numerous visitors looking for a unique glimpse into township life.
During this big year for Cape Town, The Nellie wants to support initiatives that fall under the WDC themes of “beautiful spaces, beautiful things”, as well as “bridging the divide”.
“By establishing the Nkanyezi Gallery and opening our city-based ‘home’ to some of our townships’ most talented artists, we can help to exhibit their art to local and international guests, who may otherwise never have the opportunity to see their work,” says Xavier Lablaude, General Manager of Belmond Mount Nelson Hotel.
Siphiwe Ngwenya, Head Curator of the Nkanyezi Gallery and the Director of The Maboneng Township Arts Experience, adds: “There’s always been a large cultural gap between the township and the city. We are mending this through the arts with one of the most alternative experiences ever – and the Nkanyezi Gallery is an important part of that.”
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- Patrick Holo
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- Lindile Magunya
The Nkanyezi Gallery launched on 24th April with a group exhibition featuring some of the best township artists that the city has to offer. The artists include Gerald Thabatha, Mphathi Gocini, Patrick Holo, Boyce Magandela, Lindile Magunya and Luthando Lupuwana.
The Nkanyezi Gallery will be open to the public every day and all works are for sale.
WHERE: Belmond Mount Nelson Hotel, Orange Street, Cape Town
INFO:
Gabrielle Palmer, Public Relations Manger, Belmond Mount Nelson Hotel, ph: +27 21 483-1593
+27 21 483-1593; + 27 82-8907249+ 27 82-8907249; gabrielle.palmer@orient-express.com; www.mountnelson.co.za
OR
Siphiwe Ngwenya, Director of The Maboneng Township Arts Experience, ph: +27 73-7778937+27 73-7778937; ngwenya@maboneng.com; www.MabonengTownshipArtsExperience.com
LEAD PHOTO: Siphiwe Ngwenya, in front of Musicians 3 by Luthando Lupuwana
