The Art of Resilience: How a Mural at Thrive Student Living's Arteria Parktown is Bringing Beauty and Healing

In Thrive Student Living's Arteria Parktown, a stunning mural designed by local poet, healer, and multi-disciplinary artist Thobile Mavuso, brings beauty and healing to students' lives.

The mural, 'Ukuzilanda Ukuzilandela Nokuzelapha', translates to 'to return to one's roots is to care for and heal oneself'.

Thobile Mavuso's artwork explores the wounding that comes with displacement, dispossession, and landlessness, encouraging students to inquire into their history and roots.

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.

Vibrant yet restful colors create a sense of calmness and contemplation, inviting students to engage with the artwork.

Thrive Student Living's commitment to inclusivity and social responsibility led to the commission of Thobile Mavuso's mural, facilitated by Latitudes, a curated online market for art from Africa.

The residence offers a range of amenities, including study areas, games rooms, gyms, and backup power and water, creating a healthy and sustainable environment.

The Student Life programme provides round-the-clock support for students, encompassing academic performance, physical health, and mental wellness.

Thobile Mavuso's mural is a visual extension of Thrive Student Living's spirit, prioritizing art as a language of universal expression.

As students engage with the artwork, they find new meaning and derive their own meaning from it, thanks to the plaque detailing its inspiration.