Introducing Tlhagella Top 10 Emerging Artists

The Javett Art Centre at the University of Pretoria (Javett-UP), in partnership with the Canada Fund for Local Initiatives (CFLI), is excited to present the Top 10 emerging artists selected for the 2025/26 Tlhagella Incubation Programme. This cohort will shine in the career-changing exhibition Between Here and Elsewhere, opening on 01 May 2026.

Meet the artists:

Abdullah Akram

Hulisani Khorombi

Kgothatso Clinton Mokale

Mohapi Pepenene

Patience Kekana

Regina Manapo Makoae

Senzelw’umusa Mathe

Thandi Baloyi

Thato Mothobi

Ziyanda Mkhosana

Now in its second iteration, Tlhagella, meaning “show up,”  is a call to action for artists to step forward and seek meaningful visibility. Funded by CFLI, this is an annual programme that supports emerging, under-represented visual artists residing in Tshwane and surrounding Gauteng areas. It forms part of Javett-UP’s broader initiative, EmpowerED: Art as a Catalyst for Education, Engagement, and Economic Empowerment. This holistic approach nurtures talent across visual and digital arts through mentorship and pathways for visibility and economic growth.’

Senzelw’umusa Mathe, one of the Top 10 artists, shares that being selected as Tlhagella Top 10 is an incredible opportunity, especially because there were so many entries. “I am looking forward to growing my understanding in the industry, gaining skills in entrepreneurship, exhibition design, and curatorial aspects that are not available in other programmes. This is a very unique programme and I am excited that it exists.” 

The journey began in October 2025 with an open call for participation. This was subsequently followed by a Career Practice Workshop attended by 50 shortlisted candidates in November. The sessions featured leading art professionals including artist Usha Seejarim, curator Tshegofatso Seoka, publicist Maria McCloy, creative consultant Thoriso Mosenake, and Monde Mngoma from DALRO, sharing valuable insights on navigating the art industry and building sustainable creative careers.

Following the workshop, participants were required to refine and submit their portfolios for Top Ten selection into this intensive development programme. Ahead of the exhibition, the cohort received training in curatorial and exhibition practices, including curatorial support, stipends, and marketing assistance to professionally present their work.

The exhibition Between Here and Elsewhere gathers the voices of the Tlhagella Incubation Programme’s top 10 artists, whose works reflect on history, the body, and the spaces they inhabit. The title speaks to being in more than one place at once -between spiritual and physical, past and present, intergenerational and self, home and elsewhere, memory and lived experience. The exhibition is curated by Puleng Plessie in collaboration with the Tlhagella artists and Javett-UP’s curatorial team.

Puleng Plessie, Curator of Education and Public Programming at Javett-UP, shares, “I am deeply excited about this year’s exhibition. The works invite viewers to reflect on what it means to exist between different states of being. They consider how we move through spiritual, familial, spatial, and physical experiences, shaping how we understand ourselves and the world around us.” 

To attend the exhibition opening on Saturday, 01 May 2026, 15:00 guests can RSVP using the following link https://forms.gle/NBd5ZVUx6CmCfS9Y7 

Once opened, Between Here and Elsewhere can be viewed between Tuesday to Saturday and the last Sunday of every month. Open from  10:00am - 16:00pm. The exhibition will run until August 2026.

Entrance and Prices R80 for adults | R50 for pensioners & under 18s | FREE for under 6s, registered tertiary students, UP staff, and active ICOM & SAMA members.

We welcome walkins for self-guided tours.

Guided Tours are from R400 and can be arranged 48 hours in advance by e-mailing [email protected]

Images: https://drive.google.com/drive/folders/1PnEhuXZn9F0AoAP-mspFAl1Mwas6vPqv?usp=sharing