Four colourful murals have revitalised some of Cape Town’s most popular public buildings, putting local communities, creative expression and talent in the spotlight.
Cape Town, South Africa (10 July 2025) – A dynamic wave of colour and vibrance has just washed over Cape Town! Four new murals are adorning the walls of facilities in Delft, Grassy Park, Mfuleni and Valhalla Park, and they’re all by talented emerging artists.
Conceptualised through co-design workshops or stakeholder engagements, the murals were organised by the City’s Community, Arts and Culture Development Department to breathe life into public spaces, namely the ECD in Delft, the Chris Hani Hall in Mfuleni, the Grassy Park Library and the Valhalla Park Civic Hall.
“These vibrant artworks have not only revitalised our buildings and put our local talent in the spotlight, but they are also representations of the communities in question, as interpreted by the artists. This is just one of the ways in which we help emerging artists find platforms for self-expression and to showcase their talent,” said Mayoral Committee Member for Community Services and Health, Councillor Francine Higham.
“Planning is already under way for the next set of murals to be completed by mid-2026, and we are incredibly excited to see these life-sized works of art pop up in more communities.”
The group of community artists was sourced from a broad spectrum of communities within the metropole, with many either living in or having strong ties to the respective mural locations.
They worked under the tutelage of lead artist Skumbuzo Salman, who was delighted to have been a part of the experience.
“It was amazing to watch art, community and creative expression intersecting in this manner. Each of the projects encapsulated that particular community spirit and identity, enhancing the impact and meaning of the murals. These projects reflect more than artistic prowess; they embody the vibrant spirit and diverse voices of our communities. They’re a testament to creativity’s power in fostering connection and inspiring civic pride,” said Salman.
Valhalla Park
Twelve community participants attended a co-design workshop at the Valhalla Park Library, where residents were encouraged to share stories, symbols, and aspirations through collaborative discussions and idea generation. These were distilled into a final mural design that emphasised multiculturalism, inclusivity, and community spirit by community artists: Johnson Mosia, John Breda, Jacky Cummings, and Roger Cummings.
Mfuleni
Another workshop at the Chris Hani Hall featuring 15 participants had storytelling, visual brainstorming, and collective ideation sessions guided by facilitators. The mural design by Thembinkosi Fatu, Sandi Basi, Saun Kusene and Ayabulela Fati reflected themes such as cultural heritage, resilience, pride, and identity, all based on insights and contributions from the local community.
Grassy Park
Community-relevant themes such as local flora/fauna, education, and inclusivity were discussed at a stakeholder engagement meeting with the City’s project and property managers and the appointed service provider.
The lead artist interpreted these into a proposed design for final approval and painting by artists, Ayabonga Mtshongwana, Sharon Roubach, Abdul Wageed, and Abdul Muizz.
Delft
A planning session was held on 21 May with the ECD property owner, City project team, and service provider. During the meeting, the owner shared thematic ideas, such as children playing, unity, and animals. These were turned into concept sketches by the artist, refined collaboratively, and finalised to align with the ECD centre’s vision. Community art contributors were Xavier Davis, Austin Mohamed, Bruce Henniker, and Brandon Peters.
All four completed murals were facilitated through the City’s temporary public art permit system, which requires consultation with surrounding owners and civic-based organisations to ensure vibrant, community-driven artworks that enrich our shared spaces responsibly.
The Arts and Culture Branch has identified sites for the rollout of murals in the 2025/2026 financial year. These will continue to prioritise co-design, youth involvement, and celebrating local identity.
Sources: Supplied
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