insurmountable political barriers. From now on it is Dr Mahlangu!” said Professor Federico Freschi, the Executive Dean of the Faculty of Art, Design and Architecture (FADA) at UJ. Ms Mahlangu began painting as a child. At the age of 10, her mother and grandmother, in accordance with tradition, taught her the art of Ndebele homestead wall painting and beadwork. Her work came to international attention in 1989 after her inclusion in the important exhibition Magiciens de la terre, held at the Centre Pompidou in Paris. In 1991, she painted the 525i model for the BMW Art Car Series, the first woman and the first person from outside Europe or the United States to do so. Her designs also covered the tails of British Airways aircraft in 1997, and the new Fiat 500. In 2017, artist Imani Shanklin Roberts celebrated her with a mural on a Tribeca boulevard in New York. In collaboration with
Swedish fashion designer, Eytys, who embroidered Ms Mahlangu’s designs on to the Doja Mahlangu series. Over the past three decades, Ms Mahlangu has exhibited both mural and canvas paintings throughout Europe, Asia, North and South America, also capturing the imagination of more than one generation on social media through charitable campaigns. She collaborated with American singer, songwriter, musician and actor John Legend in a 2017 Belvedere Vodka advertising campaign, along with RED (a Bono-founded charitable organisation) to raise awareness and raise funds for the fight against HIV/AIDS in Africa. As a national icon and custodian of heritage Ms Mahlangu has been honoured with awards and medals by Government many times, and by more than one South African president. She received the Order of Ikhamanga, silver class, in 2006, as well as the Mpumalanga Arts
and Culture Award, an award from the French Ministry of Culture, two awards from Radio Ndebele, and many others from South Africa and abroad. “In the context of current debates in South African institutions of higher learning on questions of decolonisation of the curriculum, Ms Mhlangu is a living example of how authentic African knowledge systems can be articulated meaningfully and sustainably”, said Prof Freschi. “In her, we have an icon worthy of being looked up to by the next generation of creatives, and the University, in particular. FADA is greatly honoured to confer the degree of Philosophiae Doctor honoris causa upon her.” Ms Mahlangu concluded: “This honour bestowed on me today binds me to this institution that shares my passion. I have respect for the University
and its endeavours to promote Africanism.”
Doctorates
“THIS HONOUR BESTOWED ON ME TODAY BINDS ME TO THIS INSTITUTION THAT SHARES MY PASSION. I HAVE RESPECT FOR THE UNIVERSITY AND ITS ENDEAVOURS TO PROMOTE AFRICANISM.” Esther Mahlangu
ALUMNI IMPUMELELO
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