02/06/2026
I'm calling this one:
"The South African Education Department"
At first glance, this painting looks chaotic.
Colours clash. Layers overlap. Nothing seems to follow a neat or predictable pattern. There is beauty, but there is also exhaustion. There is growth, but there is also struggle.
For me, this painting represents the reality of education in South Africa.
Behind every policy, deadline, report, meeting, curriculum change, intervention plan, moderation file, assessment schedule, and administrative demand stands a teacher trying to make it all work.
The red speaks of pressure.
The black speaks of obstacles.
The tangled layers speak of complexity.
And yet, through it all, the flowers continue to bloom.
Because educators continue to show up.
They arrive before sunrise. They leave long after the final bell. They carry the worries of children, the expectations of parents, the demands of management, and the responsibility of shaping the future of our country.
This painting is not about perfection.
It is about resilience.
To every educator across South Africa who feels overwhelmed, unseen, exhausted, frustrated, or simply tired: you are not alone.
I see your struggle because I live it too.
And despite the chaos around us, we continue to plant seeds, nurture growth, and create beauty where we can.
The garden survives because of the gardeners.
Thank you for all that you do.
