The two walls at Goeie Hoop Primary School in Bellville have become the vibrant canvas for mural art, a testament to the collaborative efforts of the City of Cape Town’s better. bellville. together. placemaking initiative. Orchestrated in harmony with Councillor Mercia Kleinsmith and Goeie Hoop Primary School, this visual symphony breathes new life into the local area and is fast becoming a major talking point.
Initially conceived for the two Northlink campuses in the area, the mural found its perfect home at Goeie Hoop Primary School, thanks to the visionary collaboration between the better. bellville. together. team, local artists, the school’s soon to be retiring Mrs Johnson and Principal Tarentaal, whose desire to leave a legacy of brightness transformed the entrance wall into a captivating public art masterpiece.
Crafted in partnership with the better. together. team, the mural not only adorns the school wall but mirrors the essence of the students’ learning environment. Each brushstroke reflects a shared commitment to instilling the school’s values, bringing vibrancy and inspiration to the heart of Goeie Hoop Primary School and its local community.
Call to Paint a Brighter Bellville
The better. bellville. together. initiative, a city-funded place-making endeavour launched in February 2023, is proving to be a successful catalyst for economic growth in the Bellville CBD. Rooted in the belief that public art is a dynamic force for cultural expression, community engagement, and economic development, the initiative aims to revitalise the region, making it cleaner, and safer for those who live, work, and visit it.
Alderman James Vos, the Mayoral Committee Member for Economic Growth, said the City-funded better. bellville. together. Initiative is an example of a social investment that brings together businesses, civic society organisations and residents.
“Extending the campaign to Goeie Hoop Primary School shows the reach and value of such projects and how it can benefit generations of people. The active involvement of the City, the Greater Tygerberg Partnership, local businesses and members of the community in this initiative builds confidence for investors who will drive further developments in the region that will in turn create continued job and trade opportunities,” said Alderman Vos.
The mural at Goeie Hoop Primary School is expected to be the first of many, with The City of Cape Town inviting local businesses and residents to engage in the initiative by offering a wall of their building for a mural. By doing so, they will be actively participating in the city’s transformation, and will maintain the exterior of their business. Residents are also encouraged to paint and maintain the outside of their home.
“Public art murals are a key component of this project because they serve various purposes; from transforming urban landscapes and elevating cultural expression to fostering community engagement, economic development, and maintaining community pride. They break down barriers to art appreciation, making art accessible to all and contribute to the beautification of neighbourhoods,” says Alex Jongens, project lead for the better. bellville. together. initiative.
“The mural at Goeie Hoop Primary School stands as a beacon of creativity. Looking ahead, the better. bellville. together. campaign envisions a thriving community where collaboration drives positive transformation, positioning Bellville as a region known for its attractiveness to investment, innovation, and progress,” adds Jongens.
Snow Cream
Italy: You have two cows. The northern one produces all the milk. The southern one sleeps all day.
Dreadsherx
Fun South African Fact: South African Dr. Christiaan Barnard performed the world’s first heart transplant on 3 December 1967 at Groote Schuur Hospital in Cape Town. The groundbreaking surgery was carried out on Louis Washkansky and Dr. Barnard was assisted by a large and exceptional team of surgeons, nurses and technicians. One of Dr. Barnard’s assistants was Hamilton Naki, a black laboratory assistant who had worked previously as a gardener and went on to work in the animal laboratory at the University of Cape Town. He had assisted Dr Barnard with research leading to the transplant. In the apartheid days, Naki had no access to higher education due to his race. Despite being unable to access formal training, he learned from and assisted university researchers and went on to do amazing work.