Online Reporter
Mbulelo Mpofu, Zimpapers Arts and Entertainment Hub
LAST week, the National Gallery of Zimbabwe (NGZ) in Bulawayo, honoured the legacy of the late artist Charles Msimanga, with a tribute exhibition titled For Our Elders.
The initiative is part of a broader project aimed at preserving Zimbabwean art and fostering dialogue between generations.
A documentary and exhibition catalogue are available on the NGZ website, offering valuable resources for artists, scholars and the general public.
The exhibition celebrated Msimanga’s extraordinary life and artistic contributions. A pioneering figure, respected educator and iconic muralist, Msimanga’s work graces several Bulawayo landmarks, including the City Hall lobby, the Zimbabwe International Exhibition Centre, Pumula North Anglican Church and Njube Library. His vibrant murals have imbued these public spaces with profound cultural significance.
During the moving tribute, NGZ Bulawayo director Silenkosi Moyo, delivered a heartfelt appeal to established artists. She urged elder creatives in attendance, including renowned muralist Voti Thebe, to actively mentor and engage with younger talent.
“We want you to inspire young artists and celebrate your own contributions alongside Msimanga’s. Many young people know Picasso and Leonardo da Vinci, but not our own artists — that is a travesty,” Moyo said.
Her message underscored the importance of bridging the generational gap to ensure the continued growth of Zimbabwean visual arts.
The exhibition featured a wide array of Msimanga’s work, including paintings, intricate drawings, experimental prints, and photographs of his iconic murals. The retrospective traced his journey from student to artist and influential educator at the Mzilikazi Art and Craft Centre, where he mentored internationally recognised talents such as Newman Ndlovu, Nkosizile Khumalo, and Danisile Ncube.
The event was deeply personal. Msimanga’s wife, Doris, was in attendance, and his brother Peter delivered a touching obituary. The Bulawayo Children’s Choir performed, featuring two of Msimanga’s grandchildren, Omhle Sibanda and Alicia Moyo. Attendees, including Sithembiso Chinara, were visibly moved by works they had personal connections to, such as a portrait Msimanga drew of her in 1976.
Voti Thebe officially opened the exhibition, describing it as a fitting tribute to Msimanga’s legacy and a vital act of cultural preservation. Danisile Ncube reflected on Msimanga’s enduring influence, recalling his notable painting of Ndebele Chiefs consulting King Lobengula at City Hall. Ncube described Msimanga as a gifted painter and ceramicist, who fostered collaboration and inspired artists such as Rashid Jogee, Tony Ndebele, Voti Thebe, Adam Madebe and many others. Later in life, Msimanga contributed through Friends of the Gallery and ran a ceramics company, leaving behind a profound legacy.
Moyo noted that For Our Elders, extends beyond Msimanga’s story. Set to become an annual exhibition, the initiative — launched in 2021 with support from the Australian Embassy — documents Southern Zimbabwean artists who began their careers before 1980. It honours 23 living legends while exploring the social, political, and cultural forces that shaped their work.
