Children showed off their artistic skills in Gugulethu as part of a celebration of Africa Day last week.
The 20-odd youngsters, who are part of an arts programme run by the Rainbow Education and Skills Development NGO, exhibited their work at the JL Zwane Centre in Gugulethu last Friday.
Held ahead of Africa Day on May 25, it was a chance for the kids to celebrate all things African through their art, said the NGO’s manager, Nokubonga Mepeni.
Ms Mepeni said the art programme ran throughout the year, giving children a chance to explore their hidden talents.
“We want to bring change through art. We had a really enjoyable time with these children. They are so imaginative and that’s what we wanted to do, spark their imaginations,” she said.
“They have been so wonderful. It has been lovely to see them use the skills they have learnt.
“We want to show parents the importance of art and what it allows their children to do and be.”
One of the children in the programme, Aphiwe Mbala, 10, said it helped her to express her thoughts through painting, and it was an opportunity for both fun and healing at the same time.
Exhibiting their work also helped to show others that art was more than just a hobby, she said.
Another participant, Thiulisile Maseti, 11, said the programme kept them occupied and taught them not just about art but how to make the right choices in life.
