Gerrit Bester
The foremost custodian of Ndebele culture, Her Royal Highness Esther Mnguni, mesmerised the Fine Arts and Fashion Design students at the Tshwane University of Technology’s (TUT’s) Faculty of Arts and Design with her wit and skill when she graced the faculty to conduct a workshop.
The soft-spoken 82-year-old, who is retiring at the end of the year, is known for her vibrant beadwork, murals and dedication to cultural storytelling.
Gogo Esther, as she is affectionately known, introduced students to the extraordinary technique of chicken feather painting, a craft that is sadly on the verge of extinction with only a handful of artists still using it. This vibrant practice uses feathers as brushes to create exquisite designs, celebrating the richness of Ndebele art with vibrant acrylic paint.
The workshop, which forms part of Umgwalo – the last stroke tour, was led by Prince Menzi Mthethwa, a South African documentary maker best known for producing and presenting the SABC1 documentary series Ayashisa Amateki. Mthethwa is playing an instrumental role in positioning South African art on the global market, using sport as a medium because of its universality.
As part of the workshop, each student was given a chicken feather, similar to those used by Gogo Esther, and asked to paint the panels of a basketball on a piece of paper.
She closely inspected their processes and announced that the artists of the four best designs would later be invited to work with her in her village in Mpumalanga – a once-in-a-lifetime experience.
Students also had the opportunity to see a Spalding basketball signed by American businessman and former professional basketball player Michael Jordan, of which Gogo Esther also painted a panel in 2023 using the chicken feathers. Later this year, she will paint a second panel of the ball during a planned visit to Utah in the United States, where Jordan played his last game for the Chicago Bulls at the Delta Center. This will mark the end of her illustrious career.
Gogo Esther told the students that they should never underestimate their hands and where they can take them. She had them in stitches when she said her ancestors wouldn’t believe her if she told them that she had been to Tokyo, Japan, in 1995, where she was invited to showcase Ndebele culture.
The students agreed that the day was an “I was there” moment.
“Art lives forever and so will this experience,” – Yvonne Phakathi.
“This was really an amazing experience and something to take with me for the rest of my life,” – Lesedi Mothudi.
“Art is life, hence we appreciate the hands that made it,” – Amanda Mathebula.
“Good things come to those who wait. This was definitely worth it,” – Lebogang Setshabe.
Prof Pfunzo Sidogi, Head of TUT’s Department of Fine and Studio Arts, encouraged students to seize the opportunity to learn. “This is a launching pad to appreciate the creativity around you and the gravity of the moment.”
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