"Cape Town" - Velaphi Sylvester Kumwenda (152 x 101cm)
Mixed media paint, plastic, and paper on canvas. Cape Town, in the Western Cape, is a town where I stayed for six months. It was shocking to hear the derogatory term 'kaffer' used openly in the streets by some. As a black man, this made me feel unwelcome. However, out of this darkness, I felt compelled to make the canvas surface black. Despite this, one can't help but see the beauty of the Western Cape. Most lines had to be in white, symbolizing that the use of the word 'kaffer' stems from ignorance and fear, much like xenophobia. I was aware of the ships, witnessing the Cape, and the making of castles, all contributing to the rich South African history for both black and white people. I could feel how money was a driving force, the rand fluctuating, with memories of the pound still strong as political stages pulled the puppet strings. Overall, I love Cape Town; it's one of our unique African cities.