MPUMALANGA PREMIER’S WELL WISHES FOR ICONIC NDEBELE ARTIST, ESTHER MAHLANGU

11 November 2021

Mpumalanga Premier, Ms Refilwe Mtshweni-Tsipane has joined dozens of well wishers for the iconic artist Esther Mahlangu who celebrates her birthday today. Mahlangu, highly revered for her Ndebele paintings, turns 86 years today. Her paintings have won her accolades, including an honorary doctorate by the University of Johannesburg in 2018.

Mtshweni-Tsipane says Mahlangu’s birthday is worth celebrating in light of her artistic achievements. “Esther Mahlangu is a national treasure and a heritage that we should all celebrate as a country and as a province in particular. Her birthday serves as a reminder for her paintaings which has placed the Ndebele nation and the Mpumalanga province on the world map. The use of her Ndebele paintings by a German car manufacturer attests to this,” Mtshweni-Tsipane explains.

The Premier says Mahlangu’s birthday celebration should inspire hope to many young aspirant artists. “As we celebrate Mahlangu’s birthday, we are reminded of her humble beginnings as a painter at the Mabhoko village. Her birthday should inspire hope to the young aspiring painters that their artistic skills will be equally recognized at some point, should they pursue their dreams to the latter,” says the Premier.

Mahlangu’s murals have been exhibited in the world’s respected museums which are a collectors’ items by famous celebrities.

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Issued by the Mpumalanga Provincial Government

Enquiries:
Premier’s Spokesperson: Sibongile Mkani-Mpolweni
Tel: (013) 766 2453
Mobile: 071 557 1142
E-mail: mpolwenis@prem.mpg.gov.za

(A) Provincial Government’s Spokesperson: George Mthethwa
Tel: (013) 766 2242
Mobile: 083 302 2774
E-mail: gpmthethwa@mpg.gov.za