Esther Mahlangu customised these sneakers that are on display at the Expo Dubai 2020. They are worth R7.7 million. Image via Twitter @BISouthAfrica
Esther Mahlangu puts R7.7m bounce in Air Jordans’ step! [photo]
From a BMW and Rolls Royce to a pair of Air Jordan 1s. Iconic Ndebele artist Esther Mahlangu added her signature touch – with a chicken feather – to a pair of sneakers that are now worth a whopping R7.7 million.
Esther Mahlangu customised these sneakers that are on display at the Expo Dubai 2020. They are worth R7.7 million. Image via Twitter @BISouthAfrica
She has added her signature touch to a BMW 525i and a luxury Rolls Royce Phantom, now the iconic Ndebele artist Dr Esther Mahlangu has customised a pair of Air Jordan 1 sneakers and they are valued at R7.7 million! Unfortunately, even if you had the money, they aren’t for sale…
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AYASHISA AMATEKI AT THE EXPO 2020 DUBAI
The Expo 2020 Dubai kicked off on Friday 1 October and will end on Thursday 31 March 2022. The expo will host 192 countries where they will showcase their exciting culture and inspiring innovations.
South Africa was one of many countries at the Expo 2020 Dubai that showcased our lively culture with some of Mzansi’s top celebs also performing at the expo.
According to Business Insider, a range of sneakers that represent South Africa’s 11 official languages were on display at The South African Pavillion, including a pair customised by Dr Esther Mahlangu .
ESTHER MAHLANGU’S R7 MILLION SNEAKERS
Prince Menzi Mthethwa who is the host of documentary series Ayashisa Amateki about the multi-million-dollar sneaker culture in South Africa, and founder of the Ayashisa Amateki Academy, commissioned the 85-year-old Dr Esther Mahlangu to create these exclusive sneakers.
Mthetwa revealed that the sneakers valued at R7.7 million are not for sale and they don’t intend on selling them.
“It is the most relevant medium to communicate to younger generations about culture.”
“It has given, not just the Ndebele culture but other cultures a voice to be heard, a sense of pride. Millennials and Gen Zs aren’t visiting museums as much, tectonic plates have shifted, the sneaker serves as a museum itself.”
The sneakers were customised using a chicken feather and Mthetwa said sourcing the feathers was a challenge because they had to get the organic chicken from the Ndebele region.
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Esther Mahlangu’s ‘travelling’ sneakers
Mthethwa mentioned that after the Expo 2020 Dubai, the sneakers will be brought to South Africa for a national tour before going to Paris. They will be showcased at the Centre Pompidou in Paris, London, and then head to the Brooklyn Museum in New York.
The sneakers will also return to Dubai.
“We must give South Africans a peak of what we have before it goes out… Or people need to have access to this thing.”
He mentioned that the “real value” of the R7.7 million sneakers will support artists from the Ayashisa Amateki Academy.
“We’ve got a lot of students that have sent us their portfolios that want to study, but they don’t have the money.”
