A team of local artists came together and added a much-needed splash of colour to the walls of Grassy Park Public Library.
The murals, which were completed late last month, form part of the City of Cape Town’s Community, Arts and Culture Development Department’s (CACDD) drive to enliven public space and support emerging artists.
A stakeholder engagement meeting was held on Monday 19 May to brainstorm design ideas that will visually capture the Grassy Park community. These art themes included local flora/fauna, education, and inclusivity.
People’s Post spoke to the four community artists Ayabonga Ntshongwana, Sharon Roubach, Abdul Wageed and Abdul Muizz, who decorated the Grassy Park Library walls.
The three community artists who painted Grassy Park’s Public Library are: Ayabonga Mtshongwana, Sharon Roubach, Abdul Wageed, Absent: Abdul Muizz. Photos: supplied. 
The newly-painted walls at Grassy Park Public Library highlighted the power of education and the need to conserve the environment. Photos: supplied 
Four community artists: Ayabonga Mtshongwana, Sharon Roubach, Abdul Wageed, Abdul Muizz, tackled Grassy Park Library’s walls. 
Local artist Ayabonga Ntshongwana with his spray can has painted murals in Langa, Khayelitsha, Scottsdene and Belhar.
The artists were mentored and guided by lead artist Skumbuzo Salman.
Ntshongwana was born in a small village in Umthatha, Eastern Cape, but raised on the Cape Flats.
“Having been exposed to different backgrounds made me interested in exploring what I loved. I drew from a young age using my mother’s make-up pencils because they gave me the darker tone the regular pencil wouldn’t. That’s how different I was from birth, and it’s what inspired me because I was a different child, both at home and school.”
As a teenager, he spent most of his breaks staying behind in class to sketch while his friends enjoyed recess.
“Since then, I always wanted to pursue art as a career despite the environment I came from that always discarded art as a hobby for wealthy people. But for me it was and still is my calling. I’ve tried to quit, but I’ve been finding a platform to equip me like the City of Cape Town’s emerging artist programme that gave us a platform.”
Ntshongwana started painting his own murals in 2020.
“I wasn’t getting paid for my paintings then. I was just expressing myself, and then I met with Skubalisto Vabaza(fine artists and muralist), who inspired me to take this path as a career. Since then, I’ve managed to do a few murals solo. I’ve painted in Langa, Khayelitsha, Scottsdene and Belhar.”
To tackle Grassy Park’s library walls, the team of artists was equipped with spray cans and embarked on this week-long project at the beginning of June.
“I hope there’ll be more murals to be done by City because these are wonderful projects to articulate and have the public engage with us while we’re painting in the process. The mural invites a community to come and share their fruitful criticism and view of our work.
“I am really thankful for this project and for the City to acknowledge us as local artists in the world full of technology, but they still believed in what our hands can produce.”
According to Roubach, that besides her passion for drawing, her other hobbies include knitting, craft work, singing, karate and dancing.
“I started painting at my primary school’s art class. I became fascinated with colours. I just love drawing, especially painting now that I’ve been part of doing this mural. It was my first time ever being involved in a community project. I felt so calm and free while doing it. Knowing it was for a very good cause I really enjoyed it.”
She usually draws on paper and paints on canvas material.
For this project she was tasked with designing the tablecloths and the flowers that form part of the mural.
“The mural was prepared with shapes for background layout. Then the drawings were followed by using chalk as an outline of each character alignment. Paint outlines, spray paint outlines followed. For the backdrop we used paintbrushes. We chose vibrant colours and used spraypaint to colour the characters.”
Roubach said she was excited about adorning more libraries in future.
“We are planning on doing more murals, yes. Southfield Public Library is next,” said Mayco member for community services and health, Francine Higham. “Three more libraries are to follow before the year ends.
“These vibrant artworks have not only revitalised our buildings and put our local talent in the spotlight, but they are also representations of the communities in question, as interpreted by the artists.
“This is just one of the ways in which we help emerging artists find platforms for self-expression and to showcase their talent.
“Planning is already under way for the next set of murals to be completed by mid-2026 and we are incredibly excited to see these life-sized works of art pop up in more communities.”
All four completed murals were facilitated through the City’s temporary public-art permit system, which requires consultation with surrounding owners and civic-based organisations to ensure vibrant, community-driven artworks that enrich shared spaces responsibly.
Such murals were also earmarked for other City-owned premises – an early-childhood development (ECD) centre in Delft, the Chris Hani Hall in Mfuleni and Valhalla Park Civic Hall.
For those looking to paint a mural or perform public art you can apply for a permit via the City’s Digital Vault.
Apply for a public art permit or contact Public.Art@capetown.gov.za for assistance.
