Khehla Chepape Makgato

Nominee's Province:
Gauteng

Age:
33

Project Name/Description:
Samanthole Institute of Creative Arts and Khehla Chepape Makgato Youth Library

More info:
https://www.instagram.com/chepapethegreat/

Twelve years ago, Makgato, 33, who grew up in Makotopong, Limpopo, and now lives in Ga-Dikgale in the same province, founded Samanthole Creative Arts and Workshop to promote arts and culture. Through this entity, Makgato holds workshops at different locations and dates in Limpopo, Free State and Gauteng, where he teaches visual arts and basic art to rural children and youth. “I teach them about colour, layout, perspective and balance, which are all necessary in visual and digital presentations of academic and social life,” says Makgato. In 2016, he established the Khehla Chepape Makgato Youth Library in Ga-Mathabatha, Limpopo, to provide books to rural schools and communities. Makgato holds a Fine Art Printmaking Diploma from the Artist Proof Studio, and a Media Practice Diploma (majoring in Journalism and Public Relations) from the Boston Media House. Currently, he’s awaiting results of a Master of Fine Arts degree for which he enrolled in 2019, having submitted his thesis in March this year. The thesis shines a light on the significant participation of Queen Manthatisi, who led Batlokwa nation between 1813 and 1824 before handing over the reins to her son, King Sekonyela, during the Mfecane battles with King Moshoeshoe, the Basotho king, Mpangazitha of the AmaHlubi tribe and King Dingane of the kingdom Zulu, in early 1800s. Makgato has exhibited his work nationally and internationally, including in France and in the US. Some of his work has been collected by JP Morgan, Nedbank and Tracker, among others. Makgato has produced a play titled, Man Alone which was staged at the Market Theatre, Johannesburg, in 2019. In his blog, under Samanthole Arts Foundation, he writes about the value of the arts.