Gogo Esther Mahlangu’s legendary Ndebele-painted BMW has made its historic return to Gauteng, after more than 30 years. The BMW 525i Art Car, which Mahlangu painted in 1991, was recently exhibited in Cape Town and is now on display at the Wits Art Museum in Braamfontein, Johannesburg. This brings the iconic piece of African art closer to Mahlangu’s roots in KwaMhlanga, Mpumalanga.
At 89 years old, Mahlangu remains one of South Africa’s most celebrated artists. Her BMW Art Car is part of an exhibition titled Then I Knew I Was Good at Painting: Esther Mahlangu, A Retrospective, which runs from 20 November 2024 to 17 April 2025. The exhibition, launched on 18 November, also features a collection of her other significant works, giving visitors an in-depth look at her artistic journey.
Curator Nontobeko Ntombela described Mahlangu as a “living symbol of triumph against adversity.” Ntombela praised the artist for being one of the first South African women to achieve global recognition in the art world. “Her work inspires creativity and brings joy, and she has earned a reputation as a matriarch of contemporary African art,” Ntombela said.
Though Gogo Esther spoke little at the exhibition’s opening, she shared some personal stories. She fondly recalled her travels to Washington DC, New York, California, and Pennsylvania. Mahlangu also reflected on her beginnings as an artist, saying, “I learned how to paint using soil and cow dung. We would mix them and start working.”
Thilosh Moodally, director of Government Affairs and Communications at BMW Group South Africa, expressed hope that the exhibition would inspire a new generation of artists. “Gogo Esther’s work continues to be a powerful symbol of resilience and creativity, motivating others to celebrate African heritage through art,” Moodally said.
As an organization at the forefront of innovation and creativity, we are thrilled to sponsor this exhibition. Bringing it to the dynamic streets of Braamfontein allows us to ignite the imaginations of a new generation of artists and art lovers. It’s an honor to be part of such a groundbreaking project,” she said
