Cape Times

Struggle icon’s mural slammed

- Bongani Nkosi

A SHODDY mural bearing little resemblanc­e to late ANC veteran maWinnie Madikizela-Mandela has been widely dismissed as an insult to the memory of the Struggle icon.

ANC secretary-general Ace Magashule launched the mural in Soweto on Saturday.

Many on Twitter and Facebook said there was just no way the painting on the wall could be maWinnie.

The overriding sentiment was that the mural was a terrible job and did not at all depict maWinnie.

The Mother of the Nation passed away at the age of 81 last week.

The graffiti by 30-year-old Mpho Madi, nicknamed Solidthegi­fted, is a large frame of a woman clad in an ANC doek and dress.

“Who’s that person painted on the wall?” Twitter user BoniweBoni­e asked the ANC.

Inserting two angry faces, Nuki Rams tweeted: “There are MANY talented artists out there. Why are we allowing these? I bet someone was actually paid for this.”

When reached for comment yesterday, ANC spokespers­on Pule Mabe and Magashule were not available.

Solidthegi­fted appeared to be proud of his offering. He tweeted a picture of himself putting some final touches to the mural.

This was accompanie­d by the words: “Had the opportunit­y to do a graffiti mural in Soweto honouring Mama Winnie.”

Sarah Jackson, another Twitter user, took the cup as Solidthegi­fted’s lone fan.

“Best ever,” was her response to the work.

 ??  ?? This mural of maWinnie Madikizela-Mandela, which was unveiled by ANC secretary-general Ace Magashule in Soweto, has angered many who believe it looks nothing like the Struggle icon.
This mural of maWinnie Madikizela-Mandela, which was unveiled by ANC secretary-general Ace Magashule in Soweto, has angered many who believe it looks nothing like the Struggle icon.

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