Celebrating Kasi life on the streets of Khayelitsha through art – Juma Mkwela
Juma Mkwela from Juma Art Tours came out of the womb doodling, and he hasn’t stopped since. As an inventive and exceptionally creative artist, he has built up a name for himself and his fellow artists who help him by creating visual pieces of art on walls in and around Khayelitsha.
Juma’s latest piece of art is part of the Blue Ribbon Share Your Kasi’Pride campaign, an initiative that aims to celebrate the goodwill and generosity that is happening within communities, while also inspiring locals to be proud of their Kasi and where they live.
Three separate walls within Khayelitsha will be brought to life to depict the comings and goings of community life. Juma is excited to be part of the initiative as he says that it captures the community’s heart and that mural art “gets into people’s hearts and stays there”.
Juma is working with six other local artists to create the murals, artists he has worked with for 10 years and who he is helping to empower and grow.
On being involved in the campaign, Juma says that street art has long been a part of community life in Khayelitsha and through his work, he will be able to remind locals why they love and celebrate their Kasi’s. He says that people will enjoy the work as they walk past it, look at it and some even take photos with it; it moves them in positive ways.
When Juma is not painting or hosting art tours in Cape Town through his Art Tours business, he creates positive and sustainable change, he also runs a bike shop and coffee/deli shop where his passion is to teach local children to ride.
Juma’s Blue Ribbon Share Your Kasi’Pride murals in Khayelitsha are located in Govan Mbeki Road, Mandela Park and at Walter Sisulu Road, Ekhuphumleni as well as on the Corner of Govan Mbeki road and Lawulo Road, Village 2 North.