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Internationally acclaimed Ndebele artist Esther Mahlangu beamed on Tuesday during her acceptance speech as she was awarded an honorary doctorate by Unisa during the university's graduation ceremony at its main campus in Pretoria.
Donning her trademark colourful Ndebele traditional attire, Mahlangu received her degree of Doctor of Philosophy in mathematics with patterns and patterning. She told the graduates who filled the ZK Mathews Graduation Hall how she had never set foot in a classroom before, but was over the moon to be wearing an academic gown.
As she walked into the hall, ululation erupted and the mood was that of celebration and accolade, with people in attire similar to hers sitting in front and chanting Ndebele totems.
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Born on 11 November 1935 in Middleburg in Mpumalanga, Mahlangu inscribed her name into art and automotive history in 1991 when she became the first woman to contribute to BMW’s revered Art Car series. This after she transformed a BMW 525i into a vibrant cultural masterpiece using feathers.
Her formative years as an artist were shaped by her environment of Ndebele women decorating their mud houses in brightly coloured patterns.
Artist Dr Esther NoStokana Mahlangu arrived and was welcomed by the resounding sound of ululations.
— City Press (@City_Press) April 16, 2024
She is the star of tonight's @unisa graduation ceremony. https://t.co/DM4mJ6LWYN
Sharing her story, Mahlangu told the graduates how as a child she was admonished for trying her hand in mural painting, adding that she persevered and ended up the distinguish ambassador of South African indigenous art she is to date.
Mahlangu had to be assisted by two people as she stood up to receive her accolade but she was evidently happy and did say, in IsiNdebele: "Niyathokoza. Namhlanje ngimbethe iphuraphura. Isikolo angisazi. [I am thankful. Today I am wearing a gown. I have never set foot in a classroom].
Then followed a standing ovation in her honor.
In unison, Thando Masango, Selinah Mahlangu and Chanted Lizzy Ntuli, who were complete in Ndebele attire chanted:
According to Unisa, Mahlangu was honoured in mathematics because her art had patterns that could be "explained in formula, had synergy and accuracy".
Professor Melusi Khumalo, chairperson of the department of mathematical sciences, said he was proud to be an African. He explained that their rational behind honouring Mahlangu an artist with a mathematics recognition was because of her patterns.
Khumalo said:
He said from Mhlangu’s paintings, they were able to define the area bound by the curves, using the general integral mathematical formula. Unisa said Mahlangu’s art served as cultural blueprint for the African renaissance in art in the late 20th century and that her global contribution to art practice had a profound influence on contemporary modern art through major international commissions and exhibitions.
