Finding space to put one’s foot became a mission as crowds gathered for the launch of the Bonnie Ntshalintshali Museum at Ardmore on Saturday  20^thSeptember, coupled with a celebration of Gabisile Nkosi’s Beyond legacy.  As part of Caversham and Ardmore’s joint partnership, Caversham was provided with the opportunity to profile its CreACTive™ Centre Initiatives which were so much part of Gabi’s life and legacy.  The show runs until the 4^th of October.

On entering the gallery space, a multitude of exquisite Bonnie-inspired ceramic pieces carry one through to the centralized, gigantic representation of a zigzag-fold book that captures the CreACTive spirit.  As one navigates the pages within the long narrow room in which it is installed, the richness and generosity of spirit of each CreACTive catalyst’s vision is poignantly evidenced through symbols and text.  This provides a point of departure to read the layered messages imbedded in the body-maps hung on the right-hand side of the room.  Each image in the miniature prints on the left-hand wall carries the stories that Gabi unleashed in Ulwazi CreACTive Centre kids starting in 2002, when she shared her meticulous lino-cutting skill.  On purchase of a print, the audiance will be enabled membership of Caversham  CreACTive™ Centres Beyond Initiative.

This combined visual feast encapsulates the enormous extent to which both Bonnie and Gabi situated themselves as prominent and inspirational artists within their areas of specialty.        

During the opening event, insightful words from Feē Halsted-Berning, Malcolm Christian and Jabu Mtheku drew from the meaningful contribution and roles of both these artists as influential protagonists beyond the visual arts communities, in South Africa and abroad.  Resonating the words of previous speakers, the South African High Commissioner to the UK, Her Excellency Dr Lindiwe Mabuza, sealed and affirmed the relevance of community empowerment through creativity,  acknowledging her honor and privilege in becoming a patron of the Caversham’s CreACTive™ Centre Initiatives as a contribution to the Beyond fund.  The fund is a means to sustain and carry forward the CreACTive™ legacy.  

One of the focal points for this joint event was the auction of works from some of the late artists’ portfolios as well as work highlighting their influence. All the earnings from the auction have been contributed to the Beyond fund. Underpinning the CreACTive™ Centre network is empowerment through contribution. This initiative encourages individuals of passion and vision to grow leadership and mentoring skills within their own communities.  This is the driving force behind the joint CreACTive™ initiative between Caversham and Ardmore named Ukwaba. ‘Ukwaba’ is the Zulu ritual defining the exchange of gifts between two families after a wedding.

The overwhelming success of this event is indebted to the wholehearted effort in preparation from the CreACTive Catalysts: Nokuthula Madinane (Kwa Dabeka), Khululiwe Mabanga (Mtubatuba), Lindiwe Shabangu (Rorke’s Drift), Nokukhanya Sibiya (Kwa Mbonambi), Nomandla Nodola (Harding), Mapule Motau (Lidgetton) and the wise guiding force of the Caversham team.  

Witty Nyide