Motherwell brothers to fly SA flag high in London
mgidis@theherald.co.za
The Herald Nelson Mandela University Citizens of the Year Award 2022 category winner for arts and culture, Sakumzi Nyendwana, is set to represent the continent in a two-month art exchange programme in London.
The 37-year-old Motherwell resident is the founder and director of the Hand in Hand Visual Art Studio, which he co-owns with his younger brother, Msindisi, 32.
They use their talent to help uplift and educate impoverished Motherwell youth through visual arts workshops, dialogues and mentoring.
The studio was selected to be part of this year’s art exchange, starting in July, under the theme “Miracle and gratitude”.
The brothers will work on various community and cultural art projects around London with UK-based artist Morgan Davy, who through his networks will be producing transformative adventure playgrounds with the help of charity organisation Team Playground.
Nyendwana said the Hand in Hand Visual Art Studio was selected after winning the video arts award in March last year during the AU 20th year celebration.
“There were artists from Makhanda and Kenya that also won, but they said they would choose one group based on their social media accounts where they would see the work that we are doing to uplift the community.
“I will be travelling with my brother to London.
“It was overwhelming when I heard that we were chosen.
“The other artists had big achievements.
“But I saw they used art to express themselves whereas we used art to educate and uplift our community,” Nyendwana said. He converted his NU1 Motherwell bedroom flat into a studio to teach the youth how to paint.
He said they were struggling to acquire tens of thousands of rand required for travelling and accommodation.
Msindisi said despite the large amount needed, as an artist, he was excited and remained hopeful they would be able to travel to London.
“I have been trying through competitions to go abroad, I can barely articulate how excited I am to represent Motherwell, SA and Africa internationally,” he said.