(Andries Botha. Pic supplied)
Join Pieter’s* friends at St Clements on June 1 at 18h00 for an evening with legendary and loved Durban-based sculptor, Andries “Boetie” Botha, who has been creating and exhibiting both within South African and internationally - while also teaching, mentoring, winning awards and using his art as a platform for activism - for more than 45 years.
Andries Botha, pre-eminent South Africa sculptor, artist, visionary, creative, crusader for the arts, environmental activist, caring person, mentor to many — and much, much more — is in the process of moving his art to the Magaliesberg. He has also been instrumental in relocating the Mary Stainbank collection to the Magaliesberg. And his Ian Player memorial sculpture, initially intended for KZN, has now found its home in the Magaliesberg.
Thank you to Chris Nicholson for the talk’s title… And (spoiler alert), there are many elephants in the room besides those Durbanites usually focus on. For one, it was w-a-y back that Botha founded his Human Elephant Foundation in a partnership with, among others, South Africa’s (late) acclaimed conservationist Dr Ian Player.
SO: Botha will share with us his reflections, thoughts and ideas about what he refers to as his “creative intervention in the Magaliesberg”.
“Of relevance is its provenance both geographically and anthropologically. It is the fifth-oldest mountain landscape in the world, older than the Himalayas. It lingers as a prehistoric jewelled necklace or umbilical cord, holding the cradle of humankind. The land is soaked in memory and legacy.
“Creating within this ambience redirects South African memory and cultural legacy into a profound universalism beyond the wrecking-ball political narratives of time-bound conflictual racial binaries that informs our current identity discourses.
“It reminds us that we hold the DNA codes of ‘First Time’. I will try to creatively navigate into this space and pay tribute to the flora, fauna and occasional humans who have illuminated our Southern African destinies despite our best efforts to frustrate and destroy this vulnerable and tenuous survival.”
Of course, there will be a lot about art. A little about elephants. And time for questions.
About:
Visit Andries Botha’s website at https://www.andriesbotha.net
Since 2008, one of Botha’s primary activities has been focused on
building and affirming conservation resources and infrastructure within South
Africa. “I have, and remain of the opinion that artists need to play and have
more of a direct role and function in one of the most pressing concerns of our
contemporary lives. They have an enormous contribution to play in what is
referred to as ‘our planet in crisis’.”
When the donation box is passed around, generosity is requested and a minimum of R50 per person.
Weather permitting, the talk will be outdoors.
Bookings limited to diners in support of St Clements restaurant and
staff.
Single folk are welcome to book for one person and join a table.
Table Bookings Essential: RSVP ST Clements +27 62 582 0980
Be there in time to open your tab, order at the counter and settle in
before the scheduled 18h00 start. Please cancel if you book then can’t make it.
*A Pieter Scholtz
(1937 — 2025) ‘Mondays at Six’ legacy soiree.
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