A 34-year-old visual artist, Lebogang Moabi from Jouberton outside Klerksdorp is the leading figure behind the ‘Painting Matlosana Gold’ campaign – an ongoing initiative where young artists are beautifying the township by painting colourful murals all over the street walls.
Moabi said he utilises his talent to spread the message of hope through art as a medium as some of his art works, scattered around the Jouberton townships where 70% of the residents are unemployed.
The township has recently been in the news for its violence, gang fights, conflicts around tenders and other social ills and Moabi said he started the project in 2021 in an effort to raise awareness of the socio-economic challenges in the township.
The idea, he said, came after the world was hit by Covid-19 pandemic and later this turned into Gender-Based Violence and other status-related issues.
“The project was named Painting Matlosana Gold because it’s a colour of hope; when you see the sunset or sunrise, it’s golden, and it reminds you that there is light at the end of the tunnel,” he said.
Moabi said he is trying to communicate a message of hope to those who lack it.
“Perhaps you’ve given up on life, but you know you can paint or have something you want to communicate, and this project will give you the confidence to believe that everything is possible.
“I’m doing this to demonstrate to people the power of the arts and how it can transform people’s lives”.
Moabi hopes that as his idea expands, more people will join in and help the initiative become even more successful adding that art is not just for pleasure, but could also be a viable source of income.
Moabi is presently working with the North West School of Design, where he will collaborate with other artists he has been training. The project is sponsored by the North West Department of Arts and Culture, North West University Gallery and B gallery.
