Nonka Mbonambi is a Johannesburg-based visual artist, curator, and cultural strategist whose practice explores the transformative power of art in addressing pressing social issues. As the youngest person ever appointed to South Africa’s Council of National Museums, she brings fresh perspective to heritage preservation while revolutionising public art through her organisation Curatica.
Currently serving as Managing Director of Creative Nestlings Foundation, Mbonambi has achieved measurable impact in addressing gender inequality in the arts: women’s representation in Johannesburg’s commissioned public art has increased from 18% to 34% under her influence. Her curatorial work includes launching the V&A Waterfront Artist Alliance Gallery with exhibitions “A Feminine Gaze” (2024) and “Hues of Happiness” (2025).
Mbonambi’s artistic practice incorporates traditional Zulu materials, including cow dung, into contemporary works that challenge cultural power dynamics. Her critically acclaimed series “Some Men Love Their Cows More Than Their Wives” examines lobola traditions and sparked vital community dialogues about gender relations. As a muralist, she has created social impact campaigns across South Africa, including the 16-installation “Break the Silence” series addressing gender-based violence.
Through Curatica’s WISA (Women in Street Art) programme, she has trained 25 women from underserved communities as professional muralists, creating sustainable pathways for economic independence. Her entrepreneurial approach to cultural programming demonstrates how art can drive both social transformation and community empowerment.
