The City of Tshwane, in partnership with the Tshwane University of Technology (TUT), the Danish Embassy and the city of Aarhus, launched a new environmental awareness mural at the TUT Science Campus. This vibrant initiative forms part of the Tshwane–Aarhus city-to-city collaboration, which aims to advance sustainable water management and strengthen climate resilience.
This exciting mural concept was developed collaboratively by the partner cities, the Danish Embassy and the Capital Collective, and it demonstrates the power of international cooperation in addressing shared environmental challenges.
“We encourage our students and communities to become active custodians of our natural resources and our urban environment,” said the TUT Executive Dean (Faculty of Science), Prof Ntebogeng Mokgalaka-Fleischmann, in her speech.
The ambassador of Denmark to South Africa, Kerin Poulsen, touched on the importance of the collaboration and making a difference. “This isn’t just paint on a surface, this is a conversation between art and science, university and a city, between Denmark and South Africa and, most importantly, between us, our planet and environment,” she emphasised.
Murals are paintings that are applied directly to public walls. They are very large in scale and act as powerful visual tools to educate people, spark community dialogue and drive social change. We have launched one on the TUT Science Campus, and it has meaning. Let’s clean up our act!
“Every part of Tshwane matters. Investment in our urban spaces must be inclusive and forward-looking. As we admire this mural, let us also reflect on the responsibility it represents,” said the Deputy Executive Mayor of Tshwane, Cllr Eugene Modise.
A few paint handprints were made on the wall. A handprint is a symbol of all humanity, and each person’s print is different. The handprints give the space a personal connection and commitment, leaving a visual mark that simply says, I was here.
To commemorate the launch, a pepper bark tree, which is an endangered indigenous species known for its medicinal value, was planted on the site. This symbolic act reinforces the project’s commitment to conservation, sustainability and the restoration of local biodiversity.