Notes

While his art is profoundly political, it is devoid of polemics, and follows a simple logic: pride in oneself breeds respect, which helps end paternalism and promotes mutual empathy, opening opportunities for co-operation and community development. He is in essence a 'Mandela man', who forgives but does not forget, looking to the future with hope and exuding joy in our progress thus far without minimizing our shortcomings or the problems just ahead. Sam Nhlengethwa is at heart a nation builder, trying to locate and amplify the chords within us, which with enough goodwill and empathy could be improvised into the social harmonies required to develop a truly democratic nation.

- John Stremlau

Literature

Kathryn Smith (ed.) (2006) Sam Nhlengethwa, Johannesburg: Goodman Gallery Editions, illustrated in colour on pages 142 and 143.