Norval Foundation is opening a bold new exhibition, We, the People: 30 Years of Democracy in South Africa. It marks three decades since South Africa’s first democratic elections in 1994—when Nelson Mandela became the country’s first president in a free and fair vote.
The show opens on December 5, 2024, and runs until November 22, 2025.
Curated by South African art historian Liese van der Watt, the exhibition explores how democracy has evolved through the lens of visual art. It’s divided into four themes, each looking at a different part of society.
• To Belong reflects on how colonialism and apartheid-era land dispossession still affect people’s sense of home.
• To Protest looks at social movements fighting for equality and the struggles linked to protest violence.
• To Care connects environmental and social justice, focusing on how these issues impact everyday life.
• To Be Heard critiques the “Rainbow Nation” idea and suggests new ways for South Africans to embrace diversity and build a shared future.
Van der Watt sees democracy as an active process. “Democracy is not something we have; it’s something we do,” she explains. “The art in this exhibition challenges the past, questions the present, and imagines a future where democracy is created together.”
The artworks in this exhibition have been chosen for the ways in which they actively engage our democracy and include contributions by Igshaan Adams, Dineo Seshee Bopape, Candice Breitz, Wim Botha, Bronwyn Katz, Sabelo Mlangeni, Walter Meyer, Gugulective, the Keiskamma Art Project, and many others. These pieces are as much about reflection as they are about action. The exhibition encourages visitors to think about their role in shaping the future of South Africa’s democracy.
Caroline Greyling, Museum Director at Norval Foundation, says this moment is special. “Thirty years is a milestone. It’s a time to step back and reflect on how artists have responded to the changes in our young democracy. We hope the exhibition speaks to everyone—young and old.”
If you’re in Cape Town, this is a chance to experience the stories of South Africa’s democratic journey through art.
We, the People: 30 Years of Democracy in South Africa is curated by Liese van der Watt and supported by Carmen Joubert. The exhibition runs from 5 December 2024 until 22 November 2025.
