Zakes Mda's Visual Art Revealed in Springs Exhibition

Zakes Mda, the celebrated South African novelist and playwright, is the subject of an expansive exhibition at Springs Art Gallery titled 'Blessed by the Bees'. The show presents his paintings, which draw on Basotho mural traditions, township aesthetics, and modernist experimentation, exploring themes of memory, belonging, and identity. Curated by Chepape Makgato and Thabo Sekoaila, the exhibition highlights the interdisciplinary nature of Mda's practice, where visual and literary languages inform each other. The bee serves as a recurring motif symbolizing collective effort and resilience. The exhibition runs until 31 July 2026 at Springs Art Gallery in Springs, Johannesburg.