Springbok fever has ignited the nation the past week after the national team’s record-breaking win at the Rugby World Cup 2023 in France. To honour the province’s homegrown heroes, a mall in the Eastern Cape has unveiled a hand painted wall mural depicting four of the players in true South African style.
Following the trophy tour passing through East London this past weekend, the lively mural at Vincent Park Mall was unveiled with great fanfare. The mural, in bright, celebratory colours pays tribute to team captain Siya Kolisi, Lukhanyo Am, Makazole Drex Mapimpi and Jaden Hendrikse all of whom were born in the Eastern Cape. The victorius message “4 x RWC Champions” honours the team’s incredible achievement and celebrates these local legends.
The mural at Vincent Park was conceptualized and painted by Nathan Sanan, an architect and street artist based in East London, who has honed his talents in mural spray painting for over a decade. “Originally I didn’t realise how effective street art could be in enriching areas, communities and moods. It has been an amazing journey up to this point. I am truly grateful to the team at Vincent Park for the opportunity and help in growing this idea together. I am really excited that the mural has been embraced by the local community,” he shares.
“The Springbok’s formidable World Cup victory unified the South African nation and we honour the entire team for their passion, tenacity and hard work that brought us to victory,” said Joseph Pasley, shopping centre manager. “The intention with this mural is to celebrate the South African spirit and to remind us of the many great heroes that live among us” he added.
The mural is available to view on the corner of Devereaux and Surrey Roads, on the south side of Vincent Park mall.
For more information about Vincent Park and its retailers, or to access the mental health resources, visit the mall’s website at https://vincentpark.co.za/.
