Jenny Crwys-Williams spoke to Laurice Taitz, publisher and editor of ‘Joburg in Your Pocket’ as well as Dr Alistair Meredith an art expert from Strauss & Co about a South African masterpiece entitled ‘Black Madonna’ located in Soweto at the Regina Mundi Church going on auction.
What makes “The Black Madonna” special?
It is one of the most prominent artefacts in the Regina Mundi Catholic Church in Soweto.
The painting, which is titled “The Madonna and Child of Soweto”, mostly referred to as “The Black Madonna”, depicts a black Virgin Mary holding Jesus, who is also black.
The painting was created by artist Larry Scully in 1973, as a part of a campaign to raise funds for the education of black South Africans. The painting was then bought by a benefactor and donated to the church.
Taitz spoke about how incredible it was to experience Regina Mundi Catholic Church in Soweto where the painting is located, and learn more about the history of this must-see South African monument.
“It’s the biggest Catholic Church in South Africa, if not in Africa. It was just this light streaming into the church through the stained glass windows. They tell a story of South Africa and were donated by the German government. They tell a story from the Soweto riots, through to Nelson Mandela with absolute beauty, it’s incredible to be in that space and seeing how connected it is to the rest of the world.”
Regina Mundi was a hub of anti-apartheid activity from the 1970s until apartheid was abolished in the 1990s. During the 1976 student uprising, students fled to Regina Mundi after police opened fire on them.
Nelson Mandela declared Regina Mundi Day in recognition of the importance of the church to the anti-apartheid struggle.
Learn more about “The Black Madonna’ here:
