Saturday April 9, 2011 : a visit to Dr John and Sasa Mosendane in Soweto
The photograph above left was retrieved from Bill's cut + paste portfolio and appears to have been taken in Mosendane's garden some 30 years ago. The photograph on the left depicts the same garden today... not much has changed at first glance although Bill's piece is faded substanially from outdoor wear. The darlings in the old photo are: Msindi, Thabo and Tshinakaho, now grown into beautiful, successful women.
I was particularly interested in meeting Dr Mosendane, having understood that he is still a prominant citizen of Soweto. Perhaps one of the few people to continue living in a township once he had gained fortune in his medical practice. This shows endurance and dedication, well respected attributes in times of oppression.
I had asked Dr Mosendane if Bill had ever invited him to the Hart House for a sunday evening film & braai (as Bill had often done). Dr Mosendane admitted that he had been invited once but for one reason or another wasn't able to go. I couldn't help but wonder if a friendship was pending between these two men and if Mosendane had been there on said day their relationship would've changed in any way.
Regardless, Bill's work is featured in Mosendane's extensive South African art collection which includes artists such as Edoardo Villa, Gerard Sekoto and Lucky Sibiya.
Dr Mosendane his still retains connections with some of the remaining artists (whom active during times of Apartheid) and he is familiar with Linda Goodman, once Bill's main agent in the art world.
 |
| signed L.Sibiya, collection Mosendane |
Many thanks to Dr Mosendane & his lovely wife
for sharing their wealth of culture and history.
 |
| ...oops! I almost forgot this l'il beauty ! |
