South Africa’s renowned artist Esther Mahlangu on Monday received an honorary doctorate conferred to her by the University of Johannesburg (UJ) for her Ndebele paintings that have gained her fame worldwide.
UJ hailed the 82-year-old’s ingenuity, recognising her “legacy as a cultural entrepreneur who has skillfully negotiated local and global worlds and played a major role as an educator”.
Mahlangu expressed her appreciation of the award, terming it a blessing.
“Being recognised at home is such a blessing. It shows that my people still see the great work that I do,” she said.
Mahlangu’s work came to international attention in 1989 after her inclusion on the important exhibition Magiciens de la terre, held at the Centre Pompidou in Paris.
As a national icon and custodian of heritage, Mahlangu has been honoured with awards and medals by government many times, and by more than one South African president.
In 2016, Esther was commissioned by the BMW Group to refine a BMW 7 Series’ appearance with her artwork.
The vehicle went on display at the Frieze Art Fair which took place in London in 2016.
