Meet Rebecca. This gorgeous woman is a real person who had real impact on me. All throughout my childhood, she was my parents' housekeeper...
As a kid, I used to follow her around our house as she worked. I chatted away incessantly and dragged my current art project along with me. It must have been a terrible nuisance! But instead of shooing me away or ignoring me, Rebecca listened patiently; she responded kindly; she encouraged openly. I sang to her a lot. Her go-to request was, “My Bonnie lies over the ocean”. It wasn’t until years later that I realised the song isn’t about someone named ‘Barney’…!
One of my most vivid childhood memories was when I found out that Rebecca can’t read or write. It was my first real taste of the injustices of the world; the vast inequalities that divide us. As an avid reader, I was totally incensed! How can someone as wonderful and deserving as Rebecca not have the gift of literacy?! In my absolute childish naivety, I attempted to teach her to read by drawing little objects and animals with their nouns written besides them. I even assigned her homework, for Pete’s sake! As misguided as my intentions were, I believe that a seed was planted… One that has blossomed into a culture of giving back, both in my business and personal life.
Rebecca turns 70 next year. She is retired and still lives in my hometown of Kimberley. Her daughter, Diane, now works for my mom. Since the portrait was a surprise, Diane and her daughter, Antoinette, conspired with me to decide which photos of Rebecca to use as reference. We knew she would like a portrait of herself as a young woman. It’s also how I remember her best and will always think of her.
Apart from paying homage to a woman that is a role model to me, her portrait is also a nod to the child that I once was. A child that never lost her love to create. I wanted the style to feel playful and naive - as if from a children’s book with Rebecca starring as the heroine: A strong and beautiful South African queen that protects the innocent, teaches compassion, shares limitless love…
When Alani Nel from Canvasations, asked me to join her in painting someone as part of the Women of Worth exhibition, I was hesitant. It has been a very long time since I painted a portrait of a person… But I immediately thought of Rebecca. For this special woman, I would set my fears aside and take a leap of faith!
After all —
She is Mother. Mother to her country, community, friends and family, every broken-winged bird… and to a little girl that traces her steps like a shadow. She encourages her to tell stories, read, draw and sing. Silly little songs about an ocean she’s never seen; a longing that she must feel every day. But no matter the weight of her burdens, she is patient, kind and loving. Her arms and heart remain open. And with those arms and that heart, she gently - unknowingly - shapes and moulds the heart of that little girl long into adulthood.
She is Rebecca.
Canvasations, a non-profit aimed at creating a platform through art that opens conversations to uplift and inspire. Every year, Alani paints 12 original portraits of 12 real women. "The Women of Worth (WOW) Art exhibition is held annually in August to honour, bless and celebrate ordinary women for just being who they are, where they are." This year, Alani felt called upon to encourage other artists to join the movement and paint with her!
The exhibition is now on at Bean in Love Coffee House in Paarl until 17 August.
















