A tribute to Jackson Hlongwane

"Farewell to our National Treasure Hlongwane"

It was with sadness that we read in the Cape Times about the passing of one of our countries most important artists :Jackson Hlongwane aged 99 in Venda.

I was studying art on London 25 years ago and had the privilege of visiting Venda on a number of occasions where my mentor, Nelson Makuba resided along with Noria Mabasa, Jack Hlongwane and others. The highlight in those days was no doubt a visit to Jackson's 'church' on a rocky hilltop. It was an intense artistic and spiritual experience. Having walked up the steep path one would arrive at a labyrinth of stone passages leading to what could only be described as an African magic garden in the league of the Owl House, but with a less naive and more African spiritual content. An entire telephone pole topped with car lights, animal horns and other shiny objects presided over a gathering of monumental wooden carved master pieces, often half animal half man, exquisitely beautiful renditions of biblical prophets many who had visited Jackson in his dreams. Jackson had a festering sore on his leg which he seemed to roast next to a fire instead of treat with antibiotics. With his wizard's beard and wild eyes, while chipping away at a piece of wood he would speak in semi religious riddles in between gales of
laughter while describing these sacred objects of his creation.

To his enormous credit Rickey Burnett was curator in the early '80s to the BMW sponsored Tributaries exhibition that brought to the fore these contemporary yet ancient African artists and with it, many visitors to Venda. Later on to his absolute shame, Ricky Burnett saw fit to sell off the contents of this magic garden thus destroying one of South Africa's most important cultural treasures. His excuse was that Jackson wanted another Kombi! UNISA has one of the profits, another lurks in the shadows at the Johannesburg Art Gallery. Jackson said the last time I visited him, that God had forbidden him to return to the hilltop where these treasures once stood and he settled in the valley below ontinuing to carve his beautiful art but, somehow the magic had gone.

So Hamba kahle, Jackson, at last you can return to your hilltop and thank you for bringing us such wonderful art. May your spirit return the magic to those hills.

Beezy Bailey,
Cape Town