Literature

Isithwalandwe (meaning: The one who wears the plumes of the rare bird) directly references the Isithwalandwe, the highest honour awarded by the ANC (African National Congress, South Africa’s first black government), to those who have made an outstanding contribution and sacrifice to the liberation struggle. Isithwalandwe, literally translated, means “the one who wears the plumes of the rare bird” and was traditionally bestowed only on the bravest warriors of the people, on those who distinguished themselves in the eyes of all the people for exceptional qualities of leadership and heroism. The painting is a portrait of Winnie Mandela, who was awarded this prestigious award in 2019, a year after her death.