We, The People: 30 Years of Art & Democracy in SA

Democracy is not something we have and own, it is something we need to do continuously — participating, connecting, sharing responsibility and shaping community together. Since 1994, South Africa has faced profound social, political and economic challenges, but the country has remained resilient, sustained by civil society organisations, community-based movements, and media that continues to scrutinise power.

The artworks gathered here operate as democracy at work. Organised around four themes – To belong, To protest, To care, and To be heard – these works challenge traditional visual systems, amplify marginalised voices and expand the landscape of our collective experience. They invite us not merely to observe, but to engage deeply in an effort to bridge South Africa’s historical divides.

This book is an invaluable historical and cultural testament to thirty years of South African democracy, and the vibrant and varied art and voices that shaped it.