The Jabulani Cultural Precinct in Soweto is up for a major spruce up.

We’re calling on Soweto artist to create steel sculptures, street furniture, gateways and architecture folly artworks that will be used as landmarks and multi-purpose artwork at the Jabulani Cultural Precinct.

The Soweto Steel Art Challenge is only open to Soweto artists. Artists and designers must make submission (illustrations of the envisioned artwork) the before 23 September 2016 5pm. Competition rules and the application form is available here and via Whatsapp 076 515 6358. Artists can also call this number for more information.

A steel sculpture at the Ellis Park Sports Precinct. Image: Courtesy of Nkosana Ngobese

Project manager of the Soweto Steel Art Challenge Nkosana Ngobese met with Soweto Artist over the weekend at the Soweto Theatre for a public briefing of the challenge.

He explained that artists will reuse steel material that was cut from the old and now dismantled Jabulani Amphitheatre to create new artwork. Ngobese said the artwork must be interactive and functional for the public.

Examples of public art. Image: Courtesy of Nkosana Ngobese

“Pieces must make sense… if someone else looks at your artwork it must communicate with them. A person mustn’t wonder what’s this, what’s going on here?”

Ngobese said the steel art – which will be situated at the Soweto Theatre and near the Shell filling station on Bolani Road, among other sites in Jabulani – will be used as landmarks, signage and the people can also use the street furniture for exercising.

The Soweto Steel Art Challenge results will be announced in November 2016 and the artwork will be unveiled in February next year.