There is a constant pulse, an ancient rhythm pushing life through the veins of the Limpopo Province, some may say that this is the real heart of Africa. The Ribola art route in Mbokota, near Elim, Limpopo, personifies this African spirit; a melting pot of Tsonga, Venda and Shangaan cultures, celebrating culture and traditions through art; music; crafts and the age-old African tradition of story-telling.
This is not a passive experience – it is an interaction, a connection with inspiring people in a rich cultural context. Go to Twananani Textiles where you can learn to draw and paint a cloth of your very own, or embrace your creative side at Mukhondeni Pottery Village where you learn how to make a clay pot and decorate one to take home. You can stop for a cold drink and a game of pool with the locals at the Madzhie Spaza shop or have delicious flame-grilled chicken at Caesar’s chicken. Then, get crafty with Patrick Manyike where this inspiring artist will show you how to coax a story out of the wood or Pilato Bulala, a young artist-inventor who makes scraptures – sculptures out of scrap metal, and jewellery out of tin cans. Towards the end of the day, you can head to the Vhutsila Art Centre with Thomas Kubayi and Kenny Nonyane where you can rock to the rhythms of Limpopo and learn to play a musical instrument, creating an original song with the Vhutsila Indigenous Music band as the sun sets over the village.
