Joy from Africa to the World reimagines the festive season

These free installations celebrate local art & sustainability

Last updated: 13 December 2024

What does an African festive season look like to you?

For the V&A, it’s vibrant, locally-inspired decorations made by 240+ African artists. Like Bo-Kaap baubles, a magical fynbos forest with Santa’s Sleigh, a giant tree covered in seashells and proteas…

These awe-inspiring Joy from Africa installations are free for you to see all over the V&A Waterfront mall until mid-January 2025.

All installations are locally sourced and produced in South Africa by African artists. Image: V&A Waterfront 

INNOVATION BY 240+ AFRICAN ARTISTS 

Traditionally, festive decor invokes a nostalgia for a Western white Christmas. These decorations are also mass-produced and contribute to an extra one million tons of trash entering landfills each week during the festive season. 

Joy from Africa to the World reimagines the festive season, turning it into a time to admire and celebrate African innovation and art. 

Since its launch in 2019, the Joy from Africa to the World initiative has supported 155 jobs, local businesses and NGO’s, and invested over R25 million into creating large-scale visual installations across the mall.

You can see the installations for free until mid-January 2025. Image: V&A Waterfront 

ARTISTS FROM LANGA, PHILIPPI, THE KAROO

Artists over the years have come from Langa, Imizamo Yethu, Mitchell’s Plain, Khayelitsha and Philippi, to the Karoo, the Eastern Cape, Mozambique, Zambia, Zimbabwe, Malawi and Senegal. 

The theme is intentional, too. Between the Mountain and the Sea highlights Cape Town’s vibrant cultures and communities and calls for protecting its natural beauty and environment. 

You’ll see this highlighted throughout the mall, from the giant Christmas tree dotted with proteas and seashells to the massive artistic replicas of the cable car and Cape Wheel. 

 The giant Christmas tree is one of the most popular installations. Image: V&A Waterfront 

SUPPORT BEADERS, ILLUSTRATORS, WEAVERS… 

The installations highlight all kinds of artists and businesses. There’s art from metal workers, designers, weavers, woodworkers, beaders, and illustrators. 

One of the most eye-catching installations is the oversized flowers from the Cape Town Society for the Blind, as well as the magical fynbos forest (in the Victoria Wharf centre court). It has a vibrant toadstool house, hand-made birdhouses inspired by the Bo-Kaap, a floral paradise and Santa’s Sleigh.

The magical fynbos forest is a new installation this year. Image: V&A Waterfront 

MADE FROM REPURPOSED MATERIALS 

Ashanti Design makes handwoven artisanal pieces and is involved for the second year. 

Abigail Snyman from Ashanti explains: “Our upcycled cotton is sourced from local production houses, while our polypropylene rope is sourced from a local manufacturer who weaves all their ropes right here in Cape Town.”

There’s also papier-mâché standing birds made from recycled paper, wood and Kalahari sand (Themba and Nombulelo Masala) and decor created from old scratched baubles and paper from the V&A offices (Wola Nani, an NGO with products crafted by people living with HIV/Aids).

Many of the businesses involved have social upliftment missions. Image: V&A Waterfront 

AMAZING MINIATURES OF LOCAL ATTRACTIONS  

Some of the most popular installations are those that highlight the iconic attractions of the city. 

A massive Cape Wheel (created from steel and xanita board) hangs from the ceiling of the V&A. It’s adorned with sweet charms like a lighthouse pendant, perspex waves, fish made from recycled plastic tiles and carved wooden parasol riders. 

The Cape Wheel has other charms too, like dolphins, seagulls and beach ball baubles. The Image: V&A Waterfront 

There’s also a replica of the cable car with Bo-Kaap-inspired baubles, felt proteas and sunbirds made from beads and steel wire. 

The giant balloon is a sight to see, created by Sinenhlanhla Chuke (who uses bright colours and experiments with textures to create a distinctly African feel) and Joh Del (known for his whimsical botanical illustrations).

You’ll find the oversized flowers from the Cape Town Society for the Blind in the Watershed. Image: V&A Waterfront

PLUS FIND MORE THINGS TO DO  

There’s plenty of other things to do at the V&A too. You could take your kids to cooking classes, attend Africa’s biggest New Year’s Eve party and go to free concerts in the artsy Silo District. See what you can get up to at the Waterfront this festive season. 

Maker’s Landing is hosting children’s cooking workshops. Image: V&A Waterfront 

SEE THE JOY FROM AFRICA INSTALLATIONS   

Waterfront festive season is on: December 2024 to mid-January 2025
Waterfront shopping mall is open: Monday to Sunday, 9am to 9pm
Find them: V&A Waterfront, Cape Town
Read more: via the Joy From Africa website
Contact them on: 021 408 7600, enquires@waterfront.co.za, @vandawaterfront

By Julia Rowley 

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EXPLORE THE CITY MORE  

There’s lots of affordable outdoor things to do at Battery Park.

You could visit the food hub Makers Landing. 

Find more art at Cape Town’s art galleries. 

See what else you can get up to in Cape Town this weekend.

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