A Truth in Black & White symbolises Ezra and Jonathan’s endeavour to present the truth without embellishment. To say it as it is. Their artworks seek to reveal something of the essence of their subject, to speak of the thing without prejudice. At the core of Mabengeza and Freemantle’s work and collaboration is the belief that in speaking with such candour, freedom can be achieved. A Truth in Black & White is a heartfelt voice, a voice rooted in a sense of place, of belonging. It is the voice of two young South Africans from vastly different backgrounds who share one voice. It is their Truth in Black & White.



“One of the cornerstones of Ubuntu is sharing amongst mankind. Bearing this in mind, as our exhibition tours, we will teach our skills to those seeking to tell their own story, their Truth in Black & White, but may not necessarily have the means or platform to do so. It is our sincere belief that in aiding the telling of these truths, a greater communal understanding and global unity can be achieved. Our gift is ourselves, our knowledge and experiences, and ultimately the spirit of Africa. Through our work, our intention is to communicate that it is not so much about breadth of knowledge but really the passion behind what you do. It is this fervor that ultimately unlocks our hearts and minds to really see the beauty that is continuously unfolding in front of us as we walk life’s journey.

The ultimate aim is the establishment of a School of the Arts in South Africa, where the full spectrum of arts and culture will be on offer. It will serve as a hub of creativity, truth, and unity for all who are involved.

Just as the creativity of the community artist was crucial in achieving a galvanized and politically savvy populous during the apartheid struggle, A Truth in Black and White is such an effort that appreciates the role of the artist to create an atmosphere of solidarity that can unify people to evoke social change. This encouraging power to wield, influence and promote a directed lifestyle, in the face of the disabling ruin of the HIV pandemic, is a responsibility that we as A Truth in Black and White appreciate. Our goal is to use this power to educate, empower and mobilize the community to adopt a lifestyle that is informed, responsible, healthy and rooted in the strong traditions and cultures of the diverse South African people. While the Art Academy will be situated on the tip of Africa, it will be a global school, actively engaging in exchange with institutions worldwide, giving voice to a people who have been silenced for so long.



The building itself will be groundbreaking in terms of its environmental footprint. The idea is to have a massive emotional footprint but to keep the physical footprint as minimal as possible by engaging in eco-building renewable energy practices.

In conclusion, the mission is to take all of our individual and collaborative efforts to the next level by combining an extensive arts and culture program entrenched in environmentalism, with a comprehensive health services program that will be directly accessible to members in these communities. We believe by combining health services, environmentalism and art and cultural initiatives, A Truth in Black and White will have the platform to effectively invigorate a culture that has been severely distressed by a series of political and socio-economic challenges.”