16 on Lerotholi, the newly refurbished gallery in Langa Cape Town, seeks to preserve its community’s prolific legacy. True transformation starts with the imagination, and the gallery’s founders, Thulani Fesi, Khanyo Ngcukana, Shaun Williams and Mpilo Ngcukana, believe that visual art can be a catalyst to a cultural exchange that fosters a sense of pride. They also believe it can combat the corrosive effects of colonialism by inspiring curiosity around the history that shape different African cultures.

Art can be an antidote to anarchy in how it allows for alternative world-making and the exploration of different points of view. Alongside the necessary protest action and the social unrest to which an unequal society plays host, a creative imagining enables the need to build something better from the ashes rather than descending into infighting or despair.

“While our platform puts a focus on works by artists and cultural practitioners who are from Langa, we also showcase talent from other parts of the country and across the continent,” says Mpilo Ngcukana. “One of the lasting effects of colonisation on the African psyche is the indoctrination of division and competitiveness between cultural groups. Exposing people to a diversity of artistic expressions broadens our understanding of each other and allows us to celebrate commonalities and shared values.”

Langa’s legacy is linked to its origins as one of the oldest townships in South Africa and a focal area in the resistance against apartheid. It’s named after Chief Langalibalele, a renowned rainmaker, who was imprisoned on Robben Island. Initially one of the sites that symbolise a heinous displacement, it became a reflection of the resilience of its people by being the most activated places in the face of any social unrest.

The gallery’s current group show, titled Natural Habitat, “acknowledges the influence that one's environment has on their trajectory and quality of life through the perspectives of ten featured artists,” adds Ngcukana. On show are Blessing Ngobeni, Boemo Diale, Daniel ‘Kgomo’ Morolong, Ignatius Mokone, Mongezi Gum, Nandipha Mntambo, Phillemon Hlungwani, Setlamorago Mashilo, Speelman Mahlangu and Vusi Khumalo. “The exhibition explores the theme of life as African people and how the land and spaces that we occupy, particularly in townships such as Langa, shape us. The artworks are inspired by familiar surroundings and the artists’ creative processes that are deeply defined by geography,” adds Ngcukana.

He explains further that Natural Habitat aims to assert that townships, despite being created as a tool for political and economic exploitation, are a location for contemporary expressions of African life. In bringing the exhibition space to Langa – a natural habitat for the artworks – the show invites viewers to consider the role of immersive context in the contemplation of the art.

The distribution of resources in the South African art space can be a stark reminder of the structural exclusion black people face, which makes the restorative initiatives that bring art closer to the people more imperative. “We hosted a residency programme with Langa-born artist Mongezi Gum in 2019, who created the first ever works to be exhibited at 16 on Lerotholi in a studio which we’ve now transformed into Cafe Lerotholi. We’re in the process of planning for more residencies where we invite artists to truly get into the lifestyle here. There’s a richness that is unique to the culture of Langa and its people. We want artists to experience how special this place is and how it has given birth to such incredibly talented individuals. Our goal is to provide a platform for artists to explore and be inspired by the unique environment of Langa.”

The visitors at 16 on Lerotholi are as diverse as the views the gallery space hopes to reflect. Its audience is currently made up of residents, school children, tourists and people who come to Langa for the social scene. This reach will hopefully have an impact on expanding notions on who can be considered a credible art lover. Their partnership with major art gallery Everard Read could accelerate that mission. “This collaboration reflects a shared vision of wanting to make art more accessible to under-resourced communities and providing those artistic ecosystems with support. Beyond exhibitions, we plan to host development programmes for artists, curators and other art practitioners,” says Ngcukana.

This is how they came to their curatorial training wheels at this year’s Investec Cape Town Art Fair. “We were able to learn what it really takes to set up and run a booth without the commitment of having invested in one ourselves, as yet. We also gained insight into best practices for showcasing artwork and engaging with potential buyers on that scale. Essential preparation for when we’re able to make that investment,” he adds.

16 on Lerotholi may be a newer concept, but it’s certainly not an anomaly; Langa has always lent itself to being a worthwhile location for cultural spaces that celebrate artistic expression – and the number of noteworthy creatives to come from Langa may be reflection of that fruitfulness. From the Bridges for Music academy to restaurants like Jordan Ways of Cooking and even Boiler Room’s first Cape Town party hosted at Guga S’thebe, this is one more way to allow the community to centre creative embodiment in its growth.