Maboneng Township Arts Experience in Kayamandi

See creativity spring to life at the pop-up gallery in this Stellenbosch township

Looking for an innovative way of seeing South African art in its prime? Residents of Kayamandi (meaning “nice home” in isiXhosa) open up their homes and public spaces in honour of the Maboneng Township Arts Experience, an annual exhibition that sees houses in township communities converted into galleries and outdoor areas transformed into stages and performance districts, on Saturday, 25 October 2014.

Originally started by artist Siphiwe Ngwenya in Alexandra in Johannesburg in 2000 as a way to create opportunities and awareness around creativity, the project expanded to Cape Town in 2012 as well as to Madadeni in Newcastle, Kwa-Zulu Natal; this year is the first time that the initiative will put down roots in Stellenbosch.  

During this year’s Maboneng Township Arts Experience visitors to the vibrant Winelands community will be guided to 10 ‘gallery‘ homes, which will be showcasing the work of local township artists from Kayamandi, Langa and Gugulethu. Artists from other African countries, like Zimbabwe and Uganda, will also be showcasing their art at the exhibitions. The day occasion has a busy schedule that includes food stalls serving up delicious and hearty fare, day tours of the Kayamandi surrounds and performances from local dance groups. The purpose of the Maboneng Arts Experience is to highlight the true creative and cultural texture of Kayamandi.   

The organisers chose the Kayamandi Creative District as a flagship location because of the strong sense of family and creativity within the community. Orlando West in Johannesburg and Kayamandi in Stellenbosch have been chosen as ‘sister townships‘. The aim of this project is to foster a sense of artistic community between these townships. Both of these areas have been chosen to build creative  relationships with one another and serve as a beacon showcasing progress within disadvantaged areas.

TICKETS & SHUTTLES FOR THE MABONENG TOWNSHIP ARTS EXPERIENCE IN KAYAMANDI

Tickets cost R100p/p, which includes access to all the houses involved, and are available by emailing info@maboneng.com, booking online through Quicket.co.za and purchasing on site at the exhibition (Cnr Mendi and Masithandane roads).

Maboneng Township Arts Experience has also offered to provide a shuttle service to and from Kayamandi on both days of the festival. The shuttles leave from Grand Parade in Cape Town city centre. Tickets for a return shuttle cost R200p/p and can be booked online at Quicket.co.za. More infomation regarding the shuttles and time of departure or return can be found at Maboneng.com and Artstownship.com.

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Looking for more local kasi flair? Read more about this Cape Town township tour to find out about more about the vibrant communities surrounding the city.
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