“Always a spiritual learning curve.”

Anthony Nkotsi (Johannesburg South Africa) nkotomo@yahoo.com

“The strengths of Thupelo Rorke’s Drift lie in the seriousness of its participants towards the practices of art, creativity and visual expression. Creativity and visual expression are simply part and parcel of the day- and yet they are also deeply valued. There was an easy give and take amongst the artists. The international nature of the group meant that there was cultural exchange of food, language, music, politics, and education happening at meal times and in the evenings- but also in the small interludes within the creative process. Fundamentally Thupelo is about fostering artistic ubuntu and practice. Some artists will leave Rorke’s Drift with finished work ready to sell, some will leave with experiments and works in progress. But all artists will leave with a renewed sense of one’s artist self, new friendships and many shared memories.”

Julie McGee (USA) jmcgee@bowdoin.edu or zamcgee@gmail.com

“What’s the importance of a workshop? I think it is to explore experiment and learn new modes of artwork. Thupelo is a workshop of a kind, that makes you learn that beyond what you expect. I experienced a great metamorphosis in my art life.”

Maryann Muthoni (Kenya) m_bushgirl@yahoo.com

“It was a very interesting workshop. I gained a lot of experience and inspiration. I found it flexible. I regard this as a spider network where different nations interact together.”

Mbongeni Buthelezi (Rorke’s Drift, South Africa)

“The workshop has certainly made a rigorous impact on artists, caterers, guests, Rorke’s Drift Village and our fans! I appreciate the effort of the organisers of the Thupelo workshop to bring artists from different countries to inspire and be inspired. Not forgetting a great network that has been created for all attendants of the workshop. Hopefully we will use it! Artists got to explore other methods and conclude which one suits them. I was touched and hope to keep in contact with everyone who contributed to the workshop.”

Growing Artist, Retsepile Moholi (Lesotho) rawpowermove@webmail.co.za

"Thupelo was a good chance for me to enrich my knowledge on my subject 'CROWDS'. It was so pleasing and inspiring to see the crowd of artists share their spirits, experiment, and work hard to achieve something. It was rewarding to be part of the crowd.
There was a non-stop flow of ideas supported by the Rorke's Drift's natural environment."

Petros Ghebrehiwot (Eritrea) petroskahsai@yahoo.com

“The Thupelo workshop has been a very wonderful and realising experience. From visiting South Africa, away from the city life’s hustle that I am quite used to learning the Rorke’s Drift history and meeting with former Rorke’s Drift student artists was amazing. I also had the great opportunity of learning a few words in Zulu and the culture.
I usually do not have a way with words, but I would like to take this opportunity to dedicate one of my pieces entitled Corner Stone as a symbol of unity among artists, communities and countries at large, and I hope it partly explains my sentiments and appreciation.”

Samuel Githui (Kenya) samuelgithui@yahoo.com

“The outcome of the workshop for me was wonderful and exchanging of ideas, learning from other’s cultures and the spirit and energy was most powerful. My thanks to all participants for the success of the workshop.”

Velile Soha (Cape Town, South Africa) velilesoha@hotmail.com

“The workshop was a great and wonderful experience for artists to work together sharing ideas, as we came from different countries. It also inspired artist to be one. Let us keep the spirit burning!”

Vusi Zwane (Rorke’s Drift, South Africa)

“It was a monumental occasion that rejuvenated the creative sprit of the artists and the art at Rorke’s Drift. The interaction and experience of working together with other artists had an everlasting impression on everyone including the community –I’m greatly grateful to Thupelo. Keep up the good work!”

William Zulu Kwa Zulu (Natal, South Africa) anthea@afri-art.co.za

“The workshop enabled me spiritual and mental growth. Through the interactive engagement with such amazing souls, I’ve been enriched, empowered and inspired by the experience.”

Witty Nonhlanhla Nyide (Umlazi , South Africa) witty@webmail.co.za

“My artworks express things that have happened, scenery and the environment that’s surrounds me. I also translate things I have read about onto the canvas. This helps me know that the world is about artists; a world without artists is nothing!”

Haji Mussa Chilonga (Tanzania) chilongahaji@yahoo.com

“Art is a vehicle to self realisations and it sure feels good to note that the Thupelo workshop was my first great inspiration to ‘think out of the box’.”

Baron S. Kambarami (Zimbabwe)