A blessing in disguise
NDEBELE CRAFT: HUMILIATING EXPERIENCE PUTS CULTURAL ACTIVIST IN THE SPOTLIGHT
Born and bred in KwaMhlanga in Mpumalanga, the spiritual home of the Ndebele, Thando Mahlangu never believed his traditions and the modern world would clash, believing, instead, there was room for both.
He was rudely awakened when he made headlines in 2018 when, in an epic David and Goliath battle, he took on Gautrain operators Bombela Concession Company after he was allegedly manhandled and kicked off a Gautrain station for wearing his traditional attire.
The Gautrain operators allegedly barred Mahlangu, 35, from taking the train from Park Station to Hatfield, Pretoria, where he had a business meeting – which, he says, he missed, causing him to lose out on a business deal.
A humiliated Mahlangu locked himself in his house and quickly sank into depression until he noticed the amount of public support.
What started off as a humiliating experience not only sparked a journey of active activism and personal growth, but also morphed into a budding visual arts career for the Ndebele cultural activist.
Saturday Citizen recently caught up with the busy Damelin radio broadcasting graduate and artist at his humble Mountain View home, near KwaMhlanga.
“At first it was hurtful and embarrassing as I was all over the news. What hurt me most was that it was the very same people whose tradition I am protecting who were critical of my attire,” he said.
Now, more than two years later, the saga has turned out to be a blessing in disguise, putting the artist in the national spotlight and boosting demand for his Ndebele paintings.
“That incident made me realise the extent of prejudice and how African people have allowed and are actively participating in the demise of their cultures and traditions.”
He says wearing traditional attire at first was to market his handcrafts – Ndebele painted straw hats and murals – so that he looked the part. But the incident with the Gautrain ignited the activist in him.
“It dawned on me that as much as my drama was about my attire, it was also an opportunity to be proud of who I am... make a life and money out of it. I can see it happening now. So the incident made me respect my traditions, want to protect and be proud of them even more,” Mahlangu said.
The demand for his artistic creations has also increased since the incident and this has led to him turning the dining room of the house he shares with his live-in partner, Nqobile Masuku, also an artist, into an art studio and gallery.
Mahlangu, who completed his matric in 2004 at Vukani High School in Boekenhouthoek, Mpumalanga, is not new to the public space after appearing as an extra in the country’s popular TV soapies, including Muvhango,
Rhythm City and Isidingo.
When they are not out decorating newly built or renovated houses, lodges and business centres with their colourful Ndebele murals, the two can be found at home painting straw hats.
“Before, I struggled to sell my wares and I was looked down upon. But after standing up for who I am, I have appeared on so many media platforms, invited to speak on TV shows and that has grown my brand,” said Mahlangu.
Though the Gautrain operators apologised to Mahlangu for the incident, he is still suing them for “indignity and humiliation” for R1.5 million in damages, but the litigation was disrupted by the Covid-19 pandemic.
He filed his papers with the court last year but due to the pandemic, proceedings have been delayed.
Incident made me realise the extent of prejudice