RENOWNED visual activist Professor Zanele Muholi is taking Mzansi art to the global stage.
They've started an international Artist-in-Residence programme in Panama. It began on Tuesday, 14 January 2026, and will run until 28 January.
The programme, in collaboration with Panama's Casa Santa Ana Foundation, is all about seeing Mzansi's visual arts, music and dance come together in a powerful cultural exchange in Panama City.
Led by Prof Muholi and produced by Lufuno Ramadwa, the project will showcase photography, music, dance, digital art and film through exhibitions, performances and workshops led by South African artists.
Prof Muholi (53), who is from Umlazi in KZN, is known for using their art to amplify marginalised voices, particularly those of black women and the queer community. They are also the founder of the Muholi Art Institute (MAI), which aims to support emerging artists and create platforms for African visual culture on a global stage.
They also hold an honorary doctorate from the University of Liège (ULiège) in Belgium.
Speaking about the vision behind the project, Prof Muholi said this collaboration is very important.
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"Why is this important? We want to bring the visual arts along with music and dance from South Africa to the world. Not many times are such art forms fused together. We want to create, connect, and embrace by showcasing and bringing different art forms," they said.
Muholi will be joined by opera singer Phumla Qampi, choreographer Lusanda Dayimani and photographer and filmmaker Lindeka Qampi.
Lusanda said she's excited about the collaboration.
"Dance is a universal language that breaks barriers. Collaborating in Panama allows us to weave South African rhythms with global narratives, inspiring new movements and fostering unity through shared expression," she said.
Opera singer Phumla said she'll use the healing power of music.
"Music has the power to heal and unite. This project lets us carry South Africa's stories through song, blending our operatic traditions with Panamanian influences to create something timeless and inclusive," she said.
Lindeka said the project is also about empowerment and legacy.
"Photography captures truths that words alone cannot. In Panama, we'll document black women's experiences with consent and cultural sensitivity, building a legacy that educates and elevates marginalised voices worldwide," she said.
