🇿🇦🌍🎉 Today would have been his 105th birthday.
It feels appropriate to recount where this blog comes from. I first heard about Credo Mutwa after returning from a year in Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates. It’s not clear in my memory whether it was online or on the radio or whether someone told me to look into him. All I do remember is that I tracked down his landline phone number when he was living in Magaliesberg, east of Pretoria. Soon afterwards he moved to Kuruman, Northern Cape, the home of his second wife, Mama Virginia Rathele.Â
After launching the first version of this website around 2004, I visited him for years to learn Africa’s history before colonialism. To honour him, I set up this blog to preserve his legacy, document his artworks and eventually republish his many books. I even had a very public fight with David Icke, who wanted to shut me down and yet I live to tell the story.
Now I ask you to pause with me today to celebrate the eternal legacy of Baba Credo Mutwa on what would have been his 105th birthday. It’s been just over 5 years since he passed away in 2020.
As a student of history, an amateur artist and cross-cultural communicator, I love building connections between Africa and China.
Born on 21 July 1921 in KwaZulu-Natal, he lived a long, impactful life before passing away on 25 March 2020 at the age of 98, and tributes poured in.
After falling ill in his youth, he was initiated as a Sangoma (traditional healer) and later became a high-ranking Sanusi (diviner and seer).
He authored legendary books like Indaba, My Children and Africa Is My Witness, which served as global blueprints for African folklore, mythology, and spiritual philosophy.
Beyond his books, he was a prolific painter, sculptor, and the builder of the famous cultural healing villages in Soweto, Gauteng and Kuruman, Northern Cape.
In 2018, he received the USIBA Award from the Department of Arts and Culture for his lifelong dedication to indigenous wisdom.
Baba Credo did not just create art; he awakened the heavens and preserved the sacred soul of our nation. He taught us that a country that forgets its heritage is a dead country.
Rest in power, Mkhulu. Your words, sculptures, and spirit continue to inspire generations of South African artists and African youth seeking their own identity in global society. Happy birthday to Vusamazulu Credo Mutwa once again!
Love live Credo Mutwa Legacy
PS. We will never forget what Helen Zille did to you