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FOCUSING ON SOCIAL CHALLENGES: MURAL UNVEILED AT BONTEHEUWEL HIGH SCHOOL
Magic in a mural
ASTRID FEBRUARIE @astridfebruarie
A
mural focusing on solutions to social challenges was unveiled at Bonteheuwel High School on Youth Day. The unveiling of this mural also included performances by learners, as well as a small exhibition of the process of creating the mural. The project was run by the City of Cape Town’s Arts and Culture Department in conjunction with the school. The City’s Mayco member for safety and security and social services, JP Smith, says that cities and communities around the world are changing and that one of the aims of this project is to develop an understanding of public art and murals. Smith says the Bonteheuwel High School Mural Project is a product of the Arts and Culture Department’s High Schools Programme. “The programme was founded in 2002 and is a youth development initiative offered to high school learners in Cape Town. “The primary objective of the programme is to identify youth in leadership positions and to assist them in reaching their full potential by equipping them with the skills necessary to become successful leaders and to tackle the social challenges in their schools and their communities,” Smith explains. Other aims of the project include promoting the idea of murals as a way to change cities, encourage tourism and contribute to social and economic development, enliven the city space through interactive public art/murals by presenting them in an attractive and sustainable way, and to increase public awareness and understanding of public art. It also aims to create a sense of ownership of the murals through community participation and skills development for emerging artists from the area. Smith says the Bonteheuwel High School Mural Project was driven by the RCL members of the school, who are part of the High Schools Programme. “The entire school was given an opportu-
Aretha Erntzen, one of the learners who took part in the project. nity to submit ideas for a mural focusing on creative solutions to social issues. “Out of this process, 10 learners with an interest in and an affinity for art were selected to attend a design workshop with recognised mural artist Wayne Beukes, aka Conform,” he says. The 10 learners were taught the basics of creating a mural, from design concepts to implementation. The learners produced designs, which were incorporated to form a final design that was painted by Conform together with the learners. “This project is about learners empower-
ing themselves. The mural is a by-product of this process. The project is a way for the RCL to build their leadership capacity to implement projects and to improve conditions at school,” Smith says. He adds that should the RCL wish to continue the mural project at Bonteheuwel High School, the City’s Arts and Culture Department will play an advisory role. Ward councillor Angus Mckenzie attended the unveiling of the project and addressed the learners in attendance. “I want to congratulate all the learners, teachers and parents for their hard work
PHOTO: ASTRID FEBRUARIE
and dedication,” he said. Mckenzie further said that his role as a ward councillor does not end with dealing with service issues, but he also plays a role in enabling the youth be the best that they can be. “My role is to ensure that you will be a group of young people who will become new leaders in the community,” he said. Mckenzie added: “The desire to put your best foot forward must start now. What you want and need to be starts with making a conscious decision that you are going to do it.”