Artists with disabilities showcase their talents at the Shades of Excellence Arts Festival at the University of Limpopo, highlighting that people with disabilities should have equal opportunities to participate in and contribute to the arts industry.
The festival brought together artists, students and the community to celebrate talent, promote inclusion in the arts and challenge barriers in the creative industry
By Jostinah Mamabolo – makgano.mamabolo@ul.ac.za
Music, performance and visual art by artists with disabilities filled the Shades of Excellence Arts Festival, hosted by the University of Limpopo’s (UL) Reakgona Disability Centre (RDC) under the theme “Proud, Present and Powerful”
The festival was held with former RDC students who now have careers in the creative industry, showing that UL’s support for students with disabilities continues after graduation.
It brought together RDC students, members of the university community, the Kananelo Square Foundation and the wider community.
The initiative was supported by the Department of Sport, Arts and Culture, the National Arts Council and the Presidential Employment Stimulus, and sought to address barriers that often prevent artists with disabilities from accessing performance opportunities and gaining recognition.
Boitumelo Mainganya, also known as Gaddafi the Poet, a University of Limpopo alumnus and founder of BTM Kreative Holdings.
Boitumelo Mainganya, known as Gaddafi the Poet, is the founder of BTM Kreative Holdings, an event partner, and a UL alumnus. He said artists with disabilities often find it difficult to get opportunities in the creative industry.
He noted that while students could access support through structures such as RDC during their studies, they often faced greater challenges when pursuing opportunities beyond the university.
“The truth is, you can get the comfort you need while you’re still at university, and you have the support of RDC. But when you’re going out there to face the world, people don’t really care whether you’re in a wheelchair, blind, living with albinism or not,” he said.
Mainganya established Shades of Excellence to give artists with disabilities opportunities to perform, reach wider audiences and demonstrate their abilities. The festival also encourages event organisers and other industry stakeholders to include people with disabilities in their work.
For UL, the initiative reflects the role of RDC in supporting students with disabilities and promoting their participation in university life, while preparing them for life after their studies.
Among the featured artists was Kamogelo Mokoena, who creates art using his mouth, demonstrating how creativity can be expressed in different ways.
Phyllis Mutele, Orientation and Mobility Practitioner at RDC, said the festival provided an important platform for students with disabilities to express themselves and pursue their artistic interests.
“We want them to be seen, heard and given opportunities to pursue their creative ambitions,” she said.
The festival also highlighted the need for continued access to exhibition s, performances and other professional opportunities for artists with disabilities.
The festival also encourages event organisers and other industry stakeholders to include people with disabilities in their work.