A tree remains rooted and grounded, gently bearing fruits, it quickly adapts to unforeseen challenges of the environment. It may grow new branches yet it never changes or camouflage itself to please anyone.
At times our elders are considered to be the roots of a community, they’re grounded and can uniquely mould a group of people since they are the true custodians of our culture and history.
Just like Dr Esther Mahlangu who has the world feasting at the palm of her hands, she’s not only an extraordinary visual artist who fuses the vibrant, traditional Ndebele patterns to tell stories, she’s a national treasure, a breathing library of the history and beauty of the Ndebele people.
Her works span over 70 decades of brilliance and expertise, she’s experienced it all from the painful political climate of South Africa to the now liberated country. Yet one thing remains certain about her she doesn’t change who she is to fit in. She simply remains humble and true to herself and the rest of the world adjust.
Life is an art, and art is a way of living, a lifestyle one embodies and personifies every day. Dr Mahlangu does it effortlessly her work is a reflection of her talent and culture, she still uses traditional methods such as Chicken features and traditional patterns with contemporary colours, canvas and tools to create breath-taking pictures.
Her skills are now passed on to the youth through her art classes which are a way of preserving her culture and knowledge, she’s a traditionalist at heart who’s ensuring that it remains alive even when she’s gone.
The art of living is to be yourself and to quit hiding parts of you to please people you don’t know, but rather to show and celebrated what makes you different. In conclusion, you’ll forever be appreciated for being you than to be questioned and forgotten.
Draw a page from Dr Mahlangu’s life and paint authentic stories, your tribe will find you, and above all treasure your elders they already know the path.