The relentless pursuit of knowledge and the weight of family expectations can be overwhelming for tertiary level scholars studying in Johannesburg, far away from their roots. However, Thrive Student Living’s new Arteria Parktown 500-bed student residence offers a unique opportunity for students to find beauty and breathing space amidst the chaos. The residence features a stunning mural designed by local poet, healer, and multi-disciplinary artist Thobile Mavuso, which encapsulates the displacement and excitement of student life in’res’. The mural, titled ‘Ukuzilanda Ukuzilandela Nokuzelapha’, translates to ‘to return to one’s roots is to care for and heal oneself’.
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A Message of Resilience
Thobile Mavuso’s artwork explores the wounding that comes with displacement, dispossession, and landlessness, which often leads to a loss of cultural identity, heritage, and traditions. The interplay depicted between the human body and the land communicates the interconnectedness of the two, encouraging students to inquire into their history, roots, and imvelaphi – one’s origins – as a means of care and healing.
The mural features a circle of connected figures in traditional headdress, which can be interpreted as a tangle of opening flowers or a patchwork of homesteads amidst fields. The vibrant yet restful colors used by Mavuso – teal, yellow ochre, red, and green – create a sense of calmness and contemplation, inviting students to engage with the artwork.
A Collaboration of Inclusion
The commission of Thobile Mavuso was a natural fit for Thrive Student Living, given the shared values of inclusivity and social responsibility. The collaboration was facilitated by Latitudes, a curated online market for art from Africa, which prioritizes equitable participation for all players – from artists to collectors.
“Latitudes is not just a marketplace but an educational platform about and for art,” explains co-founder Roberta Coci. “We are flexible, inclusive, and insistent on equitable participation for all players, from the artists to the galleries, curators, and collectors – many of whom first find the courage to start buying art through our open, inclusive showcase.”
A Sustainable and Supportive Environment
Thrive Student Living’s commitment to creating healthy, sustainable environments is reflected in its partnership with Growthpoint Properties’ award-winning green building initiatives. The residence offers a range of amenities, including study areas, games rooms, gyms, and backup power and water.
The Student Life programme provides round-the-clock support for students, encompassing academic performance, physical health, and mental wellness. This holistic approach gives parents and bursary providers peace of mind, knowing students are in a fully supportive environment.
A Visual Extension of the Spirit
Thobile Mavuso’s mural is a visual extension of Thrive Student Living’s spirit, which prioritizes art as a language of universal expression. When students engage with the mural, they find new meaning and derive their own meaning from it, thanks to the plaque detailing its inspiration.
“Art is a language, a universal form of expression,” says Amogelang Mocumi, fund manager of Growthpoint Student Accommodation. “When students sit in the courtyard underneath this wonderful mural, they find new meaning in it and derive their own meaning from it.”
A Local Artist’s Story
Thobile Mavuso is a young, female, vibrant, and upcoming artist from Johannesburg, with a complicated history of wrestling with her Ndebele culture. She began writing poetry at the age of 11 to process her emotions, culminating in the publication of her award-winning anthology ‘Songs Broken Women Sing’ in 2019.
As a student at the University of the Witwatersrand, Mavuso is deeply connected to her community and is committed to creating art that reflects her experiences and emotions. Her mural at Thrive Student Living’s Arteria Parktown is a testament to her talent and dedication.
| Key Features of Thrive Student Living’s Arteria Parktown |
|---|
| 500-bed student residence |
| Green building initiatives |
| Student Life programme |
| Round-the-clock support |
| Custom-built amenities |
Thrive Student Living’s Arteria Parktown offers a unique and supportive environment for tertiary level scholars, far away from their roots. The stunning mural designed by Thobile Mavuso is a testament to the power of art to bring beauty and healing to students’ lives.
As students engage with the mural, they find new meaning and derive their own meaning from it, thanks to the plaque detailing its inspiration. This artwork is a visual extension of Thrive Student Living’s spirit, which prioritizes art as a language of universal expression.
Thobile Mavuso’s mural is a beautiful representation of the interconnectedness of the human body and the land, encouraging students to inquire into their history, roots, and imvelaphi – one’s origins – as a means of care and healing.
The commission of Thobile Mavuso was a natural fit for Thrive Student Living, given the shared values of inclusivity and social responsibility. The collaboration was facilitated by Latitudes, a curated online market for art from Africa, which prioritizes equitable participation for all players – from artists to collectors.
Thrive Student Living’s commitment to creating healthy, sustainable environments is reflected in its partnership with Growthpoint Properties’ award-winning green building initiatives. The residence offers a range of amenities, including study areas, games rooms, gyms, and backup power and water.
The Student Life programme provides round-the-clock support for students, encompassing academic performance, physical health, and mental wellness. This holistic approach gives parents and bursary providers peace of mind, knowing students are in a fully supportive environment.
Thobile Mavuso’s mural is a testament to the power of art to bring beauty and healing to students’ lives. As students engage with the artwork, they find new meaning and derive their own meaning from it, thanks to the plaque detailing its inspiration.
Thrive Student Living’s Arteria Parktown offers a unique and supportive environment for tertiary level scholars, far away from their roots.
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