Through vibrant murals inspired by learners, Stellenbosch University lecturer Mieke van der Merwe has transformed Altena Primary School’s walls into colourful stories of everyday life, sparking creativity.
Stellenbosch, South Africa (31 October 2025) – There’s something truly magical about colour! It has the power to brighten spaces and breathe life into places that might otherwise go unnoticed. And that’s exactly what Stellenbosch University lecturer Mieke van der Merwe has done.
A lecturer in Visual Communication Design and Digital Production, Mieke has taken her creativity beyond the lecture hall and into the heart of a local community. Working closely with learners from Altena Primary School in Strand, she helped turn their simple drawings into magnificent, large-scale murals that now stretch proudly across the school’s once-plain walls.
Together, they transformed the school into a canvas of imagination, where learners can now see their own ideas reflected in full colour. What began as a design project has blossomed into something far greater: a celebration of creativity, collaboration, and community spirit.
For the children of Altena Primary, these bright walls are more than just decoration. They serve as a daily reminder that their ideas matter, that art belongs to everyone, and that learning can happen beyond textbooks and chalkboards. The colours spark curiosity and make coming to school something to look forward to.
Projects like this show how art can create lasting change. Through her work, Mieke is showing what it means to teach with heart.
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