Celebrities, VIPs and Graffiti Gurus Immortalise KwaMashu Legends for the Launch of the TOPS at SPAR KwaMashu Wine & Lifestyle Festival

KwaMashu, July 21, 2014 (Newswire.com) - KwaMashu-born South African actress and star of the legendary Sarafina, Leleti Khumalo, popular comedian, David Kau, top executives from the KZN Film Commission, Durban Tourism and Gagasi FM, and a large gathering of KwaMashu residents, gave their colourful stamp of approval of the vision of the TOPS at SPAR KwaMashu Wine & Lifestyle Festival on KwaMashu Hill on Mandela Day, 18 July.

Honouring the legacy of Madiba’s spirit of “giving back” on Mandela Day, festival organisers invited a wide range of stakeholders and media to stamp their handprints on KwaMashu Hill, with signatures and messages of hope on the walls of the once-derelict buildings in KwaMashu, in a signal of what is to come in the years ahead.

"The vision of the TOPS at SPAR KwaMashu Wine & Lifestyle Festival is to unite Durban's passion to shine a light on the creative talent in KwaMashu; creative talent spans the art of wine, film, music, art and dance, and we're really excited to bring the Art of Wine to this creative city."

Sharon Cooper, Festival Co-ordinator

Says Sharon Cooper, festival co-ordinator: “The vision of the TOPS at SPAR KwaMashu Wine & Lifestyle Festival is to unite Durban’s passion to shine a light on the creative talent in KwaMashu; creative talent spans the art of wine, film, music, art and dance, and we’re really excited to bring the Art of Wine to this creative city.”

The collaborative artwork painted for free by a team of talented Durban artists transformed two derelict buildings on KwaMashu Hill into inspirational portraits of the legends of KwaMashu, bringing hope and inspiration to the community. The portrait of Khumalo and one of the late Henry Cele, star of Shaka Zulu, are the start of a project geared towards highlighting the many famous South Africans born in this vibrant and undiscovered city.

Khumalo has starred in films such as Sarafina, Hotel Rwanda and Yesterday, but may be better known to some as Busi in Generations. She has inspired thousands of girls to dream of a better future and was awarded the status of one of the 100 Top Class South Africans by City Press in 2013.

Commenting on the unveiling of her portrait, Khumalo said, “It is incredible to be honoured around the world, but there’s nothing more special than being honoured on your home turf.”

Major supporter of this special Mandela Day project which launches the vision of KwaMashu Hill, the KZN Film Commission, CEO Carol Coetzee, said the day marked the start of an incredible journey towards the transformation of KwaMashu into an inspiring hub of creativity around art, film, music and wine.

David Kau also took to the stage and charmed the audience with hauntingly accurate voice impersonations of Nelson Mandela and Desmond Tutu. It was fitting, fun and memorable – a perfect fit for Madiba’s Day!

The 1st TOPS at SPAR KwaMashu Wine & Lifestyle Festival is taking place on the evenings of the 25th and 26th July 2014 at the K-CAP Ekhaya Multi Arts Centre in KwaMashu. Tickets are limited and can be purchased through Webtickets - www.webtickets.co.za - at a cost of R150 per ticket.