ESTHER MAHLANGU’S SNEAKERS VALUED AT R7.7 MILLION

Iconic South African artist Esther Mahlangu has been invited to participate in the Expo 2020 Dubai. The expo started on 1 October and will only end on 31 March 2022. It is a platform for 192 countries to showcase their unique culture.

Mahlangu’s work on display is a pair of Air Jordan 1s decorated with her iconic Ndebele touch. The sneakers have been valued at R7.7 million but they are not for sale.

The 85-year-old artist has previously customised a BMW and a Rolls Royce. The sneakers were commissioned by Prince Menzi Mthethwa. The South African reports that Mthethwa is the host of a documentary series Ayashisa Amateki about the multi-million-dollar sneaker culture in South Africa.

Mthethwa is also the founder of the Ayashisha Amateki Academy.

Mahlangu didn’t use a traditional paintbrush to add her distinctive art to the sneakers, but rather a chicken feather. The feather had to be sourced from organic chicken in the Ndebele region.

Image credit: The Citizen