In Cape Town’s inner city, creativity has flowed. Street artists have been hard at work transforming unsuspecting infrastructure like bollards, dressing them up with paintings boasting natural themes!
Cape Town, South Africa (01 June 2025) — When the inner city of Cape Town quiets down after dark, street artists come alive. In the heart of the Mother City, unsuspecting infrastructure (humble bollards) have become canvases for purple sunsets, bright blue waves and pink dolphins mid-jump.
The beauty of the bollards movement is a testament to the fact that the little things count a great deal when it comes to community pride through public art.
In 2024, the Cape Town Central City Improvement District (CCID), along with HandCantrol360 artists, made headlines for their bollard artwork. Then, the movement was small but mighty and focused on African heritage.
“This initiative aims to infuse our community with vibrant and diverse art, creating a unique and visually appealing atmosphere. The deliberate choice highlights the richness of African heritage, and a celebration of the City’s history and serves as a visual reminder of a collaborative effort that brings communities together,” Kally Benito, CCID Urban Management manager said at the time.
The latest batch of bollards, however, speak to a different element of heritage, the natural kind.
In Waterkant Street, the street artist team led by Mak1one have adorned the unsuspecting infrastructure with gorgeous artwork. Colourful and bright, the slice of scenery speaks to the dreamiest visions to do with the sea.
“A total of 48 bollards are being painted between Sea and Loop St—which also gave rise to the sea theme—and each bollard will depict a scene from the sea and includes its creatures,” explains Kally.
We adore the effort and the message behind it, when you take care of the small things, it feels far more possible to take care of the big things!
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