Juma Art Tours believes in connecting visitors and locals through responsible tourism by providing a platform to immerse themselves in different communities and share their ideas about art, sport, history and culture.
Juma Art Tours uses a creative platform to educate the community about creating home gardens or painting murals and helps them find their passions.
Also read: Explore the streets of Cape Town through art this March
While on a Juma Art Tour, you will see and learn about murals that have brought the community together in some way, whether it be the connection created by the art’s meaning or just the simple enjoyment of its beauty.
You will find a piece of home in every person you meet, in every piece of culture and history you experience, and in every work of art you encounter.
Juma Mkwela, who was born in Malawi and raised in Zimbabwe, is a multi-talented artist with a big heart, a bright smile and a strong commitment to his various communities.
Juma moved to South Africa in search of a better future after fleeing political, social and economic turmoil. While in South Africa, Juma was a victim of xenophobic attacks that swept through the country’s townships.
Juma recognises that many xenophobic actions stem from a lack of education and understanding of other cultures. He has set out to share his own interests by teaching the community through art leadership and development programmes, combining his love of art and craft with his newfound desire to educate.
Juma met famous South African street artist Freddy Sam in 2009, who introduced him to the beautiful and powerful impact of murals. Juma Art Tours was founded as a result of the inspiration gained from meeting Freddy and the growing public interest in street art.
Juma believes in the power and impact that street art can have in township communities like his own in Khayelitsha. Artists can tell their stories to a larger audience in a more permanent setting through street art. Furthermore, street art creates a beautiful space within communities, making residents eager to have their own spaces painted.
The main goal of Juma Art Tours is to bring about positive and long-lasting change by promoting responsible tourism. In this type of tourism, guests can make a difference while getting to know the culture they are visiting.
Guests can choose to participate in tours that allow them to get their hands dirty—whether through painting or gardening—and leave feeling accomplished, knowing that they left a permanent mark on the culture in which they participated.
Today, Juma’s work in Khayelitsha has grown into a small team of six people who work to promote the township’s art scene and to create awareness and development opportunities for local artists.
Overall, Juma connects a plethora of local artists eager to have their voices heard by the public and attracts tourists from all over the world to listen to their stories being told.
By going on a Juma Art Tour, you not only learn about the awe-inspiring neighbourhoods you roam, but you are also helping to support and uplift a local community.
Book a Township Experience or Woodstock Art, Culture and History Experience here.
Community projects
Juma’s community projects are created to help the community and its people grow and advance.
Each project is a permanent investment that creates a positive result by uplifting the community.
All of its projects rely on volunteers who wish to take part in giving back to the community. Juma Tours offers a variety of different projects, from painting to gardening to working with children.
Explore Juma’s current community projects below:
Each community project relies on donations and volunteers to keep the good work going.
Details:
- Location: 66 Albert road, Woodstock, Cape Town
- Contact: 073 400 4064 | 081 511 6639 | [email protected]
- Website: jumaarttours.co.za
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Picture: Juma Art Tours / Facebook