Artists

Daniel ‘Dan’ Sefudi Rakgoathe was a notable educator and artist who made a significant contribution to South Africa’s arts landscape. He was born in Randfontein in 1937 in the then Transvaal. After completing a two-year primary school teacher training programme in 1959, he attended the Ndaleni Art Teachers Training College.

In 1969, Rakgoathe moved to Natal and trained at the Evangelical Lutheran Church (ELC) Art and Craft Centre at Rorke’s Drift. In the same year, he was appointed Cultural Officer of the Johannesburg City Council and took over a position previously held by Ezrom Legae at the Jubilee Art Centre. He went on to obtain a BA (FA) and a BA (FA) Hons in 1978 and 1979 from UNISA.

Rakgoathe was a master linocut printer who also worked with etching and mixed media. His art primarily explored African spirituality and philosophical themes related to the human condition.

He was the first graphic African artist to have his work included in the Museum of Modern Art’s collection and has been part of exhibitions at notable institutions such as the Camden Art Centre in London, the Brooklyn Museum and Public Library and locally, at the Tatham Art Gallery and Durban Art Gallery in KwaZulu-Natal.