Mbeki reviews the guard, beaded 'ncheka' cape
Jane Makhubele
About the SessionA strong contemporary thread runs throughout the sale, rooted in long-standing tradition. Selective historic textiles offer a vital counterpoint and illuminate the deep sources that continue to inspire contemporary makers.
About this Item
Notes
The image captures Mbeki reviewing a guard of honour with Chinese Vice President Hu Jintao in Beijing's Tiananmen Square.
This visit, which occurred on a Friday, April 10th (likely in 1999), was the first by a high-ranking South African official since diplomatic ties were established between the two nations.
The artist, Jane Makhubele, is known for her textile art, often using beadwork and embroidery to document historical events and everyday life in South Africa. These works have evolved out of the Ncheka, the traditional woman's cape of the Tsonga/Shangaan and serve as a historical record, capturing a significant moment in the developing diplomatic relations between South Africa and China.
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