… SOWETO
As Rampolokeng says: “There is a saying in conservation, that when you move, nature stops and when you stop, nature moves”
Rampolokeng is part of a larger collective called The Shova Lifestyle group, which is a collective of young fine artists, eco-preneurs, designers and tour guides that aim to provide a different and holistic experience of touring in the township.
The “shovanists” as they refer to themselves are big on providing everything from birding bicycle tours to art tours, access to a boutique for unique fashions and the experience of being with Soweto’s authentic young, hip and gifted.
After the birding experience we linked up with fine artist Senzo Nhlapo, whose work has earned international acclaim and the opportunity to produce work for the Nando’s brand.
Under his SenzArt911 brand, Nhlapo produces a mixture of African-inspired art through masks and tribal-themed designs, set in bright colours.
Nhlapo is as cool and calm as they come, which is slightly unexpected in someone as highly accomplished as he is.
He’s done work with international brands which has allowed him to tour the world with his work.
Our meeting point is the once-glorious Eyethu Cinema in Soweto. Eyethu used to be the hub for film and drama in the township.
A meeting place for young people in Soweto, today its brown walls are adorned with art and splashes of graffiti.
Half of the colourful art on the walls is Senzo’s.
He lives down the road from Eyethu, and pours his love for the place in his artwork.
He does mostly street art, and the tour will take you to various spots in Soweto to show off the integration of art with everyday life.
His art has graced the walls of the once-charred Masakeng Pub, Lebo’s Backpackers and a worldfamous mural on Vilakazi Street. These are also some of the sites that Nhlapo’s art tours take in.
Nhlapo will also play host to a Street Art Festival in September that will see more and more art being introduced to locals.
Called Kas’Lam Street Art Festival, it will attract art lovers to Soweto and finally place the township among other cities in the world where street art is concerned. ● For more information on the birding tours, visit Bay of Grace tours on : 072 0947 3311. ● SernziArt911: 062 846 1308