From Sketch to Mural: How Art Builds Belonging at Altena Primary

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When a group of children at Altena Primary School in Strand were asked to draw what their school meant to them, their ideas soon became larger than life — quite literally.

Under the guidance of Mieke van der Merwe (Hall), Lecturer in Visual Communication Design & Digital Production at Stellenbosch University, those sketches were transformed into vibrant wall murals celebrating the school’s diversity, creativity, and community spirit.

In this episode of the Breakfast Club Podcast, Mieke joins Sibulele Ndudula & Naledi Sekakatlela to talk about the power of art in education — how design can make learners feel seen, how collaboration brings a community together, and why inclusive visual storytelling matters in post-apartheid South Africa.

Tune in for a conversation that paints a hopeful picture of what happens when children see their stories on the walls around them.
30 Oct 2025 English South Africa News · Society & Culture

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