Mandela Month Glow-Up - Inscape Students Bring the Heat to Menlyn Maine

This July, Menlyn Maine Central Square in Pretoria is alive with the Gallery of Giving, a vibrant tribute to Nelson Mandela’s legacy. Inscape Pretoria sparked creativity, with students crafting an engaging Mandela-themed selfie board alongside top South African fashion designers and partners. This project was a total vibe, showcasing how young creatives can use their skills to make a difference and bring some serious energy to the community.

Levelling Up Creative Skills

At Inscape, creativity isn’t just about making things look good—it’s about solving problems and getting ready for the real world. This project was the perfect chance for students to sharpen their skills while creating something meaningful. Mignon Louw, Inscape’s Head of Marketing, explains, “This opportunity let students dive into mixed media and storytelling, all tied to community impact.” With no reference images or AI, just pencils, paintbrushes, and pure imagination, students created a selfie board bursting with bold colours, African patterns, and cool string art.

The project was a crash course in creative hustle. Jihee Ko, who worked on the selfie board, shares, “We embraced our differences, using all sorts of techniques. The swirls in Mandela’s hair came from spontaneous brushstrokes, like a group effort in paint.” Masindi Nthangeni got creative with bubble wrap, beads, and wool, boosting skills like spatial design and experimenting with materials. This gig prepped students for the creative industry’s challenges.

The 48-hour deadline at Inscape’s Pretoria hub was intense. The high-pressure setting taught students to handle chaos, manage time, and blend their styles into one vision—key for any creative career. “They nailed technical skills and grew in leadership and empathy,” Mignon says.

From Classroom to Career Goals

The Gallery of Giving project was a game-changer for future careers, connecting students with pros like Anissa Mpungwe, Craig Jacobs, Isabel de Villiers and Glorinah Mabaso. “Working alongside these legends for  five hours was wild,” says Tshwanelo Masote, “but it made the experience epic.” Alisha Maluleke was inspired by their realness: “Their storytelling tips made me think deeper about my designs’ meaning.” Working across photography, video, and design, Alisha levelled up her teamwork and styling, learning to nail visual composition for video shoots.

The project also boosted students’ portfolios and networks. “They were treated like pros, not just students,” Mignon says. Collaborating with industry experts and documenting their work gave students like Tshwanelo something to flex. “The Mandela portrait’s colours and textures are next-level,” she says. That kind of work, plus the community focus, is gold for future employers.

Ruth van der Merwe, Inscape’s social media coordinator, captured the event’s energy in photos and videos. “I wanted to show the joy and connection,” she says. Creating engaging social media content on a tight deadline is a necessary skill for digital media careers. “This project made me appreciate artists’ hustle,” Ruth adds.

A Creative Spark

What made the Gallery of Giving special? Freedom and purpose. “No strict rules here,” Mignon says. “It was all about exploring and dreaming big.” That freedom let students take risks and build confidence. Jihee calls it a “spark”: “It brought back the joy of creating with no limits.” Masindi found it “exhilarating,” with collaboration sparking fresh ideas.

The selfie board captured Mandela’s bold, hopeful spirit. “It shows his courage and vibe,” Jihee says. The students went for it, as Masindi puts it, using South African colours and a powerful quote: “It is in your hands to create a better world.” 

Creativity That Hits Different

The Gallery of Giving project was a celebration of youth and education, showing design’s power to make an impact. “Design’s about creating change,” Alisha says. Tshwanelo’s dreams grew after working with top designers: “They show you can make it if you believe and work hard.” 

 “Seeing this come together was amazing,” Mignon says. It’s what Inscape’s all about: shaping creative trailblazers who are ready to tackle challenges and make a difference. The Gallery of Giving proves it—Inscape’s students are creating art that inspires, one bold stroke at a time.