There is a Basotho Blankets Exhibition in Cape Town. For dozens of the blankets, belonging to the National Museum in Bloemfontein, it’s the first time, they’ve been brought down to the Cape. The Basotho Blankets Exhibition is held at the Art Gallery, at the head office of the insurer, SANLAM in Bellville.
Basotho Blankets Exhibition in Cape Town
The blankets on display have been collected since the early 1990s. To date, not a lot of research has been done on them.
The curator of the Sanlam Art Collection, Stefan Hundt at the opening of the exhibition said, “This is an evening of heritage and culture.”
He said the project is in collaboration with the National Museum in Bloemfontein. Hundt added that the exhibition intertwines political commentary, individual expression, and innovation, showcasing the blankets’ integral role in Basotho culture and their significance in life events.
He said, recent fashion trends, exemplified by designers like Thabo Makhetha Kwinana, have propelled these blankets into global high street fashion.
National Museum in Bloemfontein
Bloemfontein staff transported 26 blankets down to the Mother City to go on display. Sanlam, itself has 36 blankets at the exhibition.
Another first for the exhibition is this is the first time since 2014, that the exhibition has been held, OUTSIDE of Bloemfontein.
MORE ABOUT: Sutha Ke Fete – the Art of the Basotho Blanket
Meanwhile, South Africa-based Thabo Makhetha, who designs clothes using traditional blankets from Lesotho, explained her motto at the event, where she was the keynote speaker.
“Love culture. Share culture,” that’s my motto.
Makhetha was born in Eswatini but moved to South Africa with her family when she was 3 years old.
The art collection at the Head Quarters started in the 1960’s. Today it is one of the biggest art collections in the country.
The inaugural Basotho blanket exhibition is open to the public until 14 June, at the Sanlam Art Gallery in Bellville. It offers to those attending, a captivating journey through Basotho heritage and intricate designs.
READ MORE: Dr Esther Mahlangu’s art showcased at SA National Gallery
