“I work and draw on ancient mythology and African folklore to create an end product which focuses on communication rather that confrontation. A real African heritage is depicted in my work through the use of many symbols resulting in a penitent look at the faces of mankind. To me art is more of a religion than a craft”

Mahlangu was born in Germiston on the 1st of October 1958. He attended Matshediso Western Province School and matriculated from Katlehong High

School. In 1977 to 1980 he enrolled at the Katlehong Art Centre, where he concentrated on sculpture and drawing.

Speelman studied painting with Rose Shakanovsky and sculpture with Stanley Nkosi. In 1980 he won first prize in the “New Signatures” competition.

Mahlangu’s imagery is uniquely African. He has long been interested in South Africa’s “homecoming” to the African continent, and consequently one finds oneself drawn into his timeless realm of southern African icons of traditional life, depicted almost as Egyptian hieroglyphics.

Speelman’s painting incorporate symbols and patterns from Ndebele murals and Egyptian hieroglyphics. They often describe things that one cannot see but can only feel. His themes include an exploration and spiritual mythical ideas of the world to come. The role of music in African life and traditional rituals, African pots, human figures, calabashes and drums emerge from semi abstract shapes. A dream dreaming us.

Mahlangu has exhibited extensively in South Africa and internationally for the past twenty years.

In 1995, he was commissioned to paint the mural that welcomes travelers to South Africa's Johannesburg International Airport. From 1996 onwards, he has personally exhibited in Vancouver, Toronto and New York at shows dedicated to contemporary African art. He is widely regarded by art critics and fellow artists as the leading painter of Ndebele images - his own ethnic identity. He has also taken part in acclaimed group exhibitions in London, Paris, Israel and Berlin. He also contributed to the Kwa Ndebele Mural Design project.

EXHIBITIONS:

• 1977 Solo exhibition, D H Williams Hall, Johannesburg
  
  
• 1980 Group exhibition at the South African Association of Arts, Pretoria, “New Signatures”, awarded first prize.
  
  
• 1982 Group exhibition in the Vaal Triangle, “Multiracial Art”
  
  
• 1983 Solo exhibition, F.U.B.A. Gallery, Johannesburg
  
  
• 1984 Group exhibition, Johannesburg, “Market Graphics”
  
  
• 1985 Group exhibition, Southern Sun, Operation Hunger
  Group exhibition, touring South Africa and West Germany, “BMW Tributaries”
  
  
• Group exhibition, KwaZulu University, awarded first prize for sculpture
  
  
• 1986 Solo exhibition at Design Animations, Johannesburg
  
  
• 1987 Group exhibition, South African Association of Arts, Pretoria, “Volkskas Atelier”
  Two-man exhibition at the Amadlozi Art Centre
  Graphic and Sculpture teacher at Ezebeleni Cripple Care Centre
  
  
• 1988 Group exhibition at the Sanderling Gallery, Johannesburg
  Group Exhibition, Japan
  
  
• 1989 Touring Group Exhibition Sweden and Norway (1989 – 1991)
  Group exhibition at the Sanderling Gallery, “Afrika Now”
  
  
• 1991 Three man exhibition at the Sanderling Gallery, Group exhibition “Town Country” at The Everard Read Gallery, solo exhibition at the South African Association Of Arts, group exhibition in USA, Israel, West Germany, Toronto
  1994 One-man exhibition at the Botswana National Museum, Gaberone, Botswana, Solo Exhibition, It’s Ok To Dream”, Natalie Knight Gallery
  
  
• 1995 Commissioned to paint a 3m x 1,5m “mural” for the Johannesburg International Airport. (International Arrivals)
  
  
• 1996 Guest Artist, "Tomorrow is Now", Vancouver, Canada.
  
  
• 1997 "Ndebele Images" – Then And Now, National Arts Club, New York, Group exhibition “Images Of Freedom” Toronto
  
  
• 1998 Zuva Gallery, Arizona, USA
  
  
• 1999 Modern Africa on Canvas, London, England
  
  
• 2000 "Dreamscape" Exhibition, Johannesburg, South Africa. Zuva Gallery, Arizona, USA
  
  
• 2001 Museum of Ethnology, Frankfurt, Germany
  
  
• 2002 Everard Read Gallery, Cape Town, South Africa, “Down Memory Lane”

COLLECTIONS:
Various private collections in South Africa and abroad

• Johannesburg International Airport, Mural 3m x 1.5m
  
• The Frankfurt Museum of Ethnology
  
• University of South Africa
  
• SASOL Art Collection
  
• University of the Witwatersrand
  
• South African National Gallery, Cape Town
  
• Pretoria Art Museum
  
• Price Waterhouse Coopers Pretoria
  
• South African Embassy, Germany
  
• Telkom Art Collection
  
• ABSA Bank Art Collection
  
• South African Embassy, Germany, 2.2m bronze sculpture
  
• South African Navy, Simonstown, 1.2m bronze sculpture
  
• South African Constitutional Court
  
• Sanlam Art Collection
  
• University Of KwaZulu Natal
  
• University Of Fort Hare
  
• B.M.W. South Africa
  
• First National Bank Art CollectionAWARDS:
  
• 1980 New Signature Award in Pretoria
  
• 1984 First prize for sculpture at an exhibition at the University of Kwa Zulu Natal