The creative pulse of Africa is impossible to ignore. This past Saturday, 10 October 2025, the tranquil Nirox Sculpture Park in Gauteng became the virtual stage for celebrating Africa’s boldest emerging artistic voices. The Absa L’Atelier 2025 winners were announced in partnership with the South African National Association for the Visual Arts (SANAVA), marking another milestone in a 39-year legacy of empowering young artists.
This year’s theme, “Celebrating Expression”, captured the essence of storytelling through art, personal, collective, and unapologetically African. Twelve exceptional finalists from across the continent brought forward work exploring memory, mythology, womanhood, sustainability, and identity. Each piece, a unique lens on contemporary Africa, reminded us why platforms like Absa L’Atelier are essential for nurturing talent that challenges, inspires, and elevates.
Honouring African Womanhood: Ndlovukazi Ngilande
The Gerard Sekoto Award now celebrating its 21st year went to South African painter and sculptor Ndlovukazi Ngilande, whose bold, figurative works celebrate the power, spirituality, and resilience of African women. Her art blends traditional influences with a contemporary perspective, challenging conventional ideas of beauty while rooted in heritage and identity.
“An artist’s journey is challenging, demanding skill, deep commitment, perseverance, and confidence. That’s why the Gerard Sekoto Award is essential,” said David Martinon, Ambassador of France to South Africa, Malawi, and Lesotho, highlighting the award’s two-decade-long partnership with the French Embassy.
Meet the 2025 Absa L’Atelier Ambassadors
This year’s Absa L’Atelier Ambassadors are redefining African storytelling:
- Yolo Mantiyane (South Africa) – Using cow dung as a medium, Yolo honours Nguni traditions while interrogating modern gender roles.
- Nana Sarpong Prempeh-Fordjour (Ghana) – Bold drawings and performance art explore youth, trauma, and personal healing.
- Trevor Aloka (Uganda) – Multidisciplinary installations invite audiences to reflect on time, memory, and collective histories.
Each Ambassador receives mentorship, masterclasses, international residencies, and the opportunity to showcase their work to the world.
“Through the Absa L’Atelier, we celebrate not only extraordinary talent but also the personal narratives that shape Africa’s artistic landscape,” said Dr. Paul Bayliss, Art and Museum Curator at Absa.
With initiatives like this, Absa continues to amplify Africa’s creative voices, proving that art is more than aesthetics, it’s a movement, a story, and a force for change.
