In Conversation with Sheila Afari
There are some people who seem almost mythical in presence, their legacy larger than life, yet their humanity grounding them in the most profound way. Dr Esther Mahlangu is one such figure. When I meet her—albeit virtually—she is petite in stature, her smile warm and inviting, but there is a quiet power that emanates from her even in her silence. Her intricate Ndebele-inspired works have graced everything from galleries in Miami and Switzerland to the body of a BMW, but what truly resonates is her ability to carry the weight of her cultural heritage with grace, ensuring it is not only preserved but celebrated globally.
As we begin our conversation, I feel transported to the kind of intimacy shared between a grandchild and a grandmother on a stoep. She speaks in measured tones, her words interpreted by her translator, but the wisdom she shares feels universal, unfiltered, and profound. Dr Mahlangu’s passion for passing down her art to the next generation becomes the anchor of our conversation.
“In my community, art is not something you do alone. It’s part of life, passed down from one generation to the next,” she shares, her hands gesturing slightly, as if tracing unseen patterns. “I learned to paint when I was ten years old from my mother and grandmother. They didn’t just teach me how to hold a brush—they taught me how to honour our culture.”
It’s a philosophy she has carried throughout her life. For Dr Mahlangu, art is as much about creating as it is about teaching. She now works with young artists, ensuring the Ndebele traditions remain vibrant and evolve with the times. “I teach the younger generation because it is their hands that will carry our heritage forward. What we give them today will live in their hearts tomorrow,” she says.
Her voice softens, and for a moment, she is reflective. She pauses, then lets out a small laugh, as if reminded of something precious. “Our patterns are like a language,” she says. “You don’t need words to understand them—they speak for themselves. When I see a child mastering them, I know our language is alive.”
This ethos of paying it forward resonates deeply with me, not just as a storyteller, but as someone who holds her art close to her heart—literally. One of my most treasured possessions is a painting by Dr Mahlangu, the first artwork I purchased when I began my art collection. It feels poetic that my journey as an art collector started with her, someone who epitomises the power of South African art. That piece represents so much more than beauty to me; it’s a reminder of where I come from and the importance of celebrating homegrown talent.
When I share this with her, she smiles knowingly. “That is what art should do—it should remind you of who you are,” she says.
Our conversation moves fluidly, touching on her upcoming solo exhibitions in Miami, New York, and Switzerland, and her recently completed mural at the Serpentine North Garden in London. She speaks about these milestones with humility, focusing instead on the opportunity they provide to showcase Ndebele culture to a global audience.
“When people see my art, they see my community, my ancestors, my people,” she explains. “They see the colours and the patterns, but they also see our stories. And that is why I keep painting—to show the world who we are.”
I ask her about her highly anticipated book, Esther Mahlangu: To Paint is in My Heart, which has just been released. She lights up at the mention of it, her enthusiasm evident. “This book is my story, but it is also the story of Ndebele art. It is a way for me to reach people who may never see my work in person. I hope it inspires them to look deeper into our culture and maybe even pick up a brush themselves.”
As the interview comes to an end, I feel a deep sense of gratitude, not just for her time, but for the legacy she continues to build. There is something profoundly grounding about her presence, something almost ancestral. Dr Esther Mahlangu is more than an icon; she is a bridge between the past and the future, a reminder of the strength found in tradition, and the beauty of passing it forward.
