Победительница премии FNB Кейлебогиле Маропа обещала использовать награду для развития инфраструктуры Южной Африки

FNB Art Prize: ‘A voice to build infrastructure of Southern Africa’ Ntokozo Khumalo 14 August 2026 | 9:36 Espousing humility and animation, the Botswana-born artist Kelebogile Marope shared what this milestone means to her. The FNB Art Winner Botswana-born artist Kelebogile Marope. Picture: Supplied “They gave me a voice, and that voice is going to build companies. That voice is going to build the infrastructure that Southern Africa needs to be at a point where we can stand on our own feet without anyone saying anything,” said the winner of the FNB Art Prize, Kelebogile Marope. She accepted her prestigious prize just a few weeks ahead of the 19th edition of the FNB Art Festival in September. Espousing humility and animation, the Botswana-born artist shared what this milestone means to her. As the very first Motswana to receive the award, Marope said her feat will serve as a reminder to her compatriots that achievement is not far-fetched. “I am so happy to be standing here as a Botswana artist and saying, wow, when I land tomorrow in Botswana, it's one of those things where you're like, but I got it. And it's really, it's a huge hope for Botswana art, huge. And the fact that it's coming from Joburg, which is the industrious art culture. It's like I'm taking a piece of a brick that I can take back home and show to them: this is what we can do.” Praising her ability to convey the ordinary through her “compelling expansion of contemporary African sculpture”, the 2026 jury, comprising Fair Manager Kim Kandan, FNB Art Joburg director Mike Mavura, and interior designer and collector Veronique Savigne, shed light on how they selected Marope as the recipient of the 16th FNB Art Prize. “She claimed a traditionally male-dominated medium as her own, perfecting her craft with a level of skill and precision that set her work apart. The jury was particularly impressed by her ability to push the boundaries of sculpture, creating a practice that is both deeply rooted in place and boldly imaginative. Her work demonstrates a distinctive material language and a fresh perspective that embodies the spirit of the FNB Art Prize,” the judges agreed unanimously. As the longest-standing contemporary art space that centres and celebrates the depth, diversity and brilliance of the continent's contemporary art, FNB Chief Marketing Officer Linda Kachingwe-Sisya weighed in on how the prize has helped to preserve African stories and archives. “The FNB Art Prize is one of the clearest expressions of this commitment. Each year, the Prize recognises an artist whose work demonstrates exceptional creativity, originality, and cultural significance. More importantly, it provides a platform that can help accelerate careers, open new opportunities, and connect African artists to broader audiences and global institutions.” In continuing its mandate to educate, collaborate through meaningful public engagement and preserve African stories through art, this year's edition is set to bring new offerings across the four days of the fair. “The fair will welcome 50 exhibitors this year, representing 19 African countries, and over 100 artists will be gathered and showcased. That really just demonstrates our creative practice across the continent. We're also excited this year to welcome a new section inside the fair. “Many of you know, as we navigate the fair, we have different sections that appeal to different audiences, and we're introducing a section called ARC, a new section that expands on how audiences will engage with contemporary African art and will also reflect again our commitment to continually evolving the fair itself,” said director of the FNB Art Festival Mandla Sibeko. Marope, in her acceptance address, added that the FNB Art Festival has created a platform where her students can look forward to being a part of the event as African artists and, one day, stand a chance to win a prize as well. Never miss a major story. Get breaking news and the latest developments from South Africa and beyond as they happen. Get the whole picture 💡 Take a look at the topic timeline for all related articles.