Young Nelson Mandela Bay Artists Receive International Recognition at Ningbo Children's Painting Competition Prize Giving Ceremony

On 5th of September, the Nelson Mandela Metropolitan Art Museum will host a special prize-giving ceremony to honour four young artists from Nelson Mandela Bay who received international recognition in the 2026 Ningbo and International Friendship Cities Children's Painting Competition. 

The prize-giving ceremony celebrates more than artistic achievement. It is a celebration of international friendship, cultural exchange, youth creativity and the transformative power of arts education. Through the partnership between Nelson Mandela Bay and Ningbo, local learners have been given the opportunity to share their creativity on a global platform and represent their city internationally. 

At the event, the Nelson Mandela Metropolitan Art Museum Education team will also be launching the Museum's 70th anniversary theme, "Celebrating 70 Years of Art, Access and Inclusion." 

The Ningo Children’s Painting Competition forms part of the long-standing sister-city partnership between the Nelson Mandela Bay Municipality and the City of Ningbo, China, which has existed since 2003. Through this partnership, Nelson Mandela Bay was invited to participate in the international competition alongside 20 other friendship cities from around the world. 

The 2026 competition, themed "Home@Future," invited children between the ages of 7 and 15 to express their creativity and explore ideas about harmonious homes and future development through art. The initiative also promotes cultural exchange, international friendship and youth engagement through creative expression. 

Four children were selected as prize winners by the organisers in Ningbo:

•Hlobani Ngetu (12 years)

•Ciko Dlamini (12 years)

•Sonwabile Miliho (12 years)

•Milisa Nwachukwu (15 years) 

Their winning artworks will be exhibited at the Ningbo Children's Library in China, providing international exposure for young artists from Nelson Mandela Bay. 

The Art Museum supported learner participation through its Saturday Art Club programme, which provides children with regular opportunities to explore creativity, experiment with materials and develop artistic skills in a supportive environment. The participation and recognition of local learners in the Ningbo competition highlights the important role that arts education can play in creating opportunities for young people. 

Speaking on the significance of the event, the Nelson Mandela Metropolitan Art Museum noted that the competition demonstrates how local arts education programmes can connect young people with international cultural initiatives and create opportunities that extend beyond their local communities. 

Celebrating 70 Years of Art, Access and Inclusion.

For seven decades, the Nelson Mandela Metropolitan Art Museum has provided opportunities for arts education, cultural engagement and creative learning for communities across Nelson Mandela Bay. The anniversary theme reflects the Museum's continued commitment to accessibility, inclusion, creativity and lifelong learning. 

The Museum will introduce its anniversary legacy project, "70 Years, 70 Pieces," a collaborative artwork initiative involving schools across Nelson Mandela Bay. The project will bring together individual puzzle-piece artworks into one large installation symbolising unity, creativity, inclusion and community. Ward Councillors from across the bay will be invited to work with the Art Museum to identify schools that have not visited the Art Museum and either the Art Museum staff will come to the school and run a workshop and where sponsorship can be raised, the school will bring learners to the Art Museum. 

Event Details

Event: Ningbo and International Friendship Cities Children's Painting Competition Prize Giving Ceremony and Launch of the Art Museum's 70th Anniversary Theme

Date: Saturday, 5 September 2026

Time: 10:00am

Venue: Nelson Mandela Metropolitan Art Museum at 1 Park Drive Central