Whether you refer to it as the “friendly city”, “eBhayi” or just “PE”, Ludwe Mgolombane, visual artist and singer, cannot get enough of his home turf.
I LOVE PE BECAUSE…
This is where I fell in love with art. Because we are not one of South Africa’s major cities, our creative offerings are not tainted with commercialism. PE is so rich in raw talent that it’s developing its own proud identity.
MY THEATRE FIX…
artEC is where I go for the trendiest art and music in the Eastern Cape; young artists always put on daring exhibitions. I also need to brag that the Port Elizabeth Opera House is the oldest theatre in Africa, but it is just as relevant today as it was when it was built in 1892!
GALLERY JUNKIES SHOULD CHECK OUT…
Galerie NOKO is a space for contemporary visual, modern and abstract arts, and home to some of the province’s most unconventional artists who are always pushing audiences to see different topics differently.
EKASI LAMI… MY TOWNSHIP
Punch in the address 90 Masangana Street, New Brighton and you will arrive at what looks just like any other house, but it actually doubles up as a live music venue. The backyard turns into a stage where local talent impress throughout the week. Another must-see in New Brighton is KwaGqalane, a tavern and chisanyama that has the liveliest lyricists and up-and-coming DJs. It is open on Mondays, Wednesdays, Thursdays and Sundays.
TAKING YOU BACK IN TIME
The South End Museum in the city centre has one of the most comprehensive photo archives of the city, dating back all the way to the 1800s, documenting events such as forced removals of black people.
The Nelson Mandela Metropolitan Art Museum is one of the most accessible museums you will find anywhere, and their library still allows the public to loan history books and various other resources.
Ludwe Mgolombane’s solo exhibition, The Scramble Continues, is on show at Galerie NOKO from 6 November till the end of the month. It is a visual demonstration of how centuries-old racial and economic inequalities continue to put Africans at a disadvantage. galerienoko.com
Sibusiso Mkwanazi
