BANELE KHOZA
By
Banele Khoza is a Swaziland-born, South Africa-based visual artist. In 2017 he won the prestigious Gerard Sekoto Award and has been making waves in the art industry ever since. In 2018 he opened the BKhz studio and gallery and appeared on the 2019 Mail and Guardian Young South Africans list for the work being done there. We spoke to the 25-year-old who was one of the curators at the recent FNB Art Joburg to find out what’s on his cultural radar. Artwork by Lunga Ntila
Art Exhibitions
Mitchell Gilbert Messina’s “Sure Thing!” at Blank Projects in Cape Town is hilarious and so is he. Tatenda Chidora’s “Until We Safe" and Lunga Ntila’s “Ukuzilanda” are two solos showing at the BKhz Gallery in Johannesburg. Watch out for them — they are the future.
Television
I enjoy the glamour and the empire that Jason and Adair have built with their show Style Hollywood. I am also enjoying Inside Bill’s Brain: Decoding Bill Gates. It is incredible to watch Gates’s habits and to aspire to such intelligence.
Books
Note to Self by Gail King. I have always watched the Note to Self insert from CBS mornings and getting a copy of all the interviews aired there was heart warming. I can now always refer to a page when feeling down. Confidence and courage always have to be harnessed — listening to world leaders is what has helped me progress on my path. Love Looks Pretty on You by Lang Leav is my favourite book right now. I have read it over five times in a short period. Each time a page converses with me at an intimate level.
Podcasts
For the past two years Oprah’s Super Soul Conversation has been my life’s guide. Listening to these conversations has shaped my faith, leadership and self-belief. Esther Abraham Hicks’s podcasts are currently co-captaining my ship. They help me to return to my centre as I often deviate and get lost in what I think I should be. Also, The Lonely Hour by Julia Bainbridge. I’m learning to deal with the loneliness I often find myself in due to my career aspirations and demands.
Music
Snoh Aalegra’s lyrics capture my reality and desires and are poured effortlessly into my heart by her great vocals. Madison Ryann Ward — her vocals are a breath of fresh air.