Credo Mutwa Cultural Village

About Credo Mutwa Cultural Village

The Credo Mutwa Cultural Village is one of Soweto’s many gems, and a must to see for visitors from all over the world who want a taste of deep African cultures and beliefs combined with modern ideas. This is an outdoor exhibition area that is combined with a museum style, showcasing the works and inspiration of Credo Mutwa.

Mutwa is an artist and a traditional healer that has been actively creating pieces of art for decades. He is famous for his sculptures and buildings, which he uses to convey important personal and political messages. He often contrasts traditional African folklore and techniques with modern ideas and Westernised trends. This is especially true of his private collection, which he produced between 1974 and 1986, during the height of the apartheid regime and many international changes; both socially and politically.

The outdoor exhibition allows visitors to peruse Mutwa’s pieces at leisure, and to think about the concepts, motives and messages of each piece.

Thanks to his status as a traditional healer, many of Credo Mutwa’s followers believe that he has the power to foretell the future. They base this belief on several of his pieces, which seem to predict certain world events, such as the sudden explosion of the AIDS epidemic and the attack on the Twin Towers on 11 September. Visiting this cultural village is a journey through the psyche and experience of this man.

The garden at the Credo Mutwa Cultural Village was a personal endeavour on the part of the artist to educate Africans about the folklore and heritage that form the basis of their modern identity. However, it fell into a state of disrepair between 1986 and 2006, when the village was revamped.

Visiting the Credo Mutwa Cultural Village offers a unique glimpse into the life and creative mind of an artist that is committed to representing South Africa and engendering a love and respect for its peoples and cultures. Admission to the village is free.