For years, the outside of Mamelodi West’s A5 Community Hall told a very different story from the one unfolding inside. Its mural had faded and peeled with time, while behind its walls the hall remained alive with youth programmes, community meetings, exercise classes for senior citizens, celebrations and moments of remembrance.
Standing proudly on Tsweu Street, the venue was originally established as a space for local arts and culture. Over the years, it has grown into a vibrant community hub and reflects the spirit of the iconic street on which it is situated – a place long recognised for its rich culture, entrepreneurship and community life.
THE A5 COMMUNITY HALL IN MAMELODI IS A HIVE OF ACTIVITY. THE EXTERIOR WAS SIMPLY NOT REFLECTING THE VARIETY AND VIBRANCY OF ACTIVITIES TAKING PLACE WITHIN ITS WALLS.
As the neighbourhood has continued to evolve, it became clear that one of its most treasured landmarks should evolve too. It was time for the outside of the hall to better reflect the life and energy within it.
During Youth Month 2026, Ranyaka, implementing the Nedbank-funded Proud of My Town programme, partnered with local artists, community stakeholders and volunteers to give the hall’s mural new life. We wanted to do more than refresh a wall. The project was about creating a lasting symbol of community pride, creativity and belonging.
“This is a story about people taking pride in the place they call home. From the artist who brought the mural to life, to the volunteers and community members who gave their time, everyone played a part. That is Proud of My Town, giving people the opportunity to shape their own communities and create something they can be proud of. When people come together around a shared purpose, the impact can last long after the paint has dried.” – Jehaan Anthony, Head: Staff Volunteerism and Advocacy, Nedbank Social Impact Unit
THE JOURNEY BEGINS
ALL HANDS ON DECK! THANK YOU TO OUR ARTISTS AND VOLUNTEERS.
Youth Day in action
On Youth Day, the Ranyaka team, together with Nedbank representatives and approximately 25 community volunteers who are members of local THRIVE Clubs*, gathered at A5 Community Hall for a special community activation. Although the mural project took three to four days to complete, the support from volunteers on Youth Day helped drive a significant part of the transformation.
The existing mural had gradually faded and peeled over the years, making Youth Day the perfect opportunity to breathe new life into a building that continues to bring people together. Led by local artist Nabane Mashaba, popularly known as Nucho, THRIVE volunteers and members of stakeholder organisation Care Reach Connect rolled up their sleeves to repaint and revitalise the mural, transforming the space into a brighter, more welcoming environment for the young people and residents who use the hall every day.
Beyond adding colour to a wall, the initiative represented ownership and collaboration, demonstrating what is possible when communities come together to care for the spaces that belong to them.
THERE’S A SPECIAL KIND OF ENERGY IN THE AIR WHEN WE TACKLE FIX YOUR SPACE PROJECTS!
THE VISION STARTS COMING TO LIFE!
Telling a story through art
For the lead artist, Nabane Mashaba, the project carried a responsibility that extended far beyond paint and brushes: “One of the most beautiful things about art is that it outlives you. More than that, it has the power to immortalise you.”
Learning that the previous mural had remained on the building for 25 years changed his perspective: “It made me think about the possibility that, 25 years from now, another young artist could stand in front of this mural and say they were inspired by it. That’s an incredible thought.”
Nucho was determined to leave behind something meaningful and as such, approached the project with three clear objectives: to tell the story of his community, create a warm and welcoming space, and ensure the artwork reflected what happens inside the building.
The finished mural does exactly that. Flowing musical notes pay tribute to the hall’s artistic heritage, while vibrant colours and bold geometric patterns celebrate the diversity, creativity and energy that define Mamelodi.
CREATIVITY IN ACTION…
JUST AS THE PLACES WE CALL HOME SHAPE US, WE HAVE THE POWER TO HELP SHAPE OUR PLACES…
Perhaps the most meaningful moment came when one of the hall’s caretakers paused to admire the completed artwork before quietly saying, “Now it actually looks like a reflection of what goes on inside.”
For the artist, there could have been no greater affirmation.
Throughout the project, the mural became part of everyday life on Tsweu Street. While artists painted, the hall continued to welcome community meetings, youth activities, basketball practice and the familiar rhythm of residents passing by, stopping to chat or simply admire the transformation.
Reflecting on the experience, Nucho said: “Working on the mural reminded me why I love being from my community. In the township, you’re allowed to be as different as you want to be, and there’s a beautiful richness in that diversity.”
A FRESH NEW CHAPTER!
IF THESE WALLS COULD TALK, THEY WOULD SHARE THE EXCITEMENT OF A NEW START!
Creating change together
The project also brought together members of the local THRIVE Club, many of whom have volunteered across numerous Proud of My Town initiatives in Mamelodi since the programme was launched.
For THRIVE volunteer Mapula, the mural represented another opportunity to actively shape the future of her community: “Mamelodi is my home, and I have always believed that if we want to change the story of our community, we cannot wait for someone else to do it for us – we need to be part of creating that change. Since joining the THRIVE community clubs, I have had the opportunity to participate in different initiatives, from tree planting and workshops to projects that bring people together and improve the spaces we share as a community. Helping with the mural at A5 Community Hall was special because it reminded me that even small actions can contribute towards something much bigger.”
Themba from Care Reach Connect echoed the sentiment. Themba believes the success of the project lay in the strength of partnerships: “Real change happens through collaboration. When organisations and community members come together, share resources and work towards one vision, we are able to create something much bigger than ourselves. This hall is part of our history, and being able to help restore it is something I will always be proud of. What makes [the Nedbank-funded programme] Proud of My Town different is that it empowers communities to build the places they call home together.”
A DRAMATIC TRANSFORMATION ALL ROUND!
A legacy for the future
Today, the A5 Community Hall stands as more than a beautifully painted building. It is a reminder of what can happen when local artists, volunteers, partners and residents unite behind a shared purpose.
The mural tells a story of creativity, identity and hope. More importantly, it reflects the evolving spirit of Tsweu Street and the people who continue to shape its future.
Perhaps, 25 years from now, another young artist will stand before this mural, see what a community accomplished together, and be inspired to tell the next chapter of Mamelodi’s story.
THANK YOU TO EVERYONE WHO HELPED MAKE THIS JOURNEY POSSIBLE!
More about THRIVE
THRIVE Clubs are one of the pillars of Ranyaka’s place-based THRIVE framework, bringing people in a community together around shared interests, needs or opportunities and creating a platform for connection, learning and collaboration. The objective is to enable members to increasingly drive their own initiatives and take collective action that contributes to a stronger, thriving community.
Alongside Clubs, THRIVE also recognises the important role of spaces in bringing people together. Through its Hubs pillar, Ranyaka works to establish and strengthen welcoming, accessible spaces that can become anchors for connection, collaboration and community activity. While A5 Community Hall is not a Ranyaka-stewarded THRIVE Hub, projects such as this reflect the broader principle that thriving communities need both active citizens and spaces where community life can flourish.
Ranyaka is establishing a growing network of THRIVE Clubs and Hubs in Gauteng, KwaZulu-Natal and the Western Cape. For more information about Ranyaka, the work we do and ways to get involved, please contact us by clicking here.