Sango Filita was born in Queenstown, South Africa. He graduated his B-tech degree in Fine Art at Walter Sisulu University 2014, East London. Filita recently obtained his master’s degree in visual arts from the University of South Africa (UNISA) and he is currently working on his PhD research. As a visual artist and curator, Filita specializes in painting, printmaking, drawing, mural art and sculpture, but his love is with painting. Sango has exhibited widely in various national exhibitions from when he was in East London until his current location which is Pretoria, from private to public art galleries. Filita’s artistic skills have been developing graciously over the years, leading to his proficiency in painting and the conceptualization of the various concepts he deals with in his art. Sango recently has exhibited some of his abstract and political artworks with UNISA staff and student exhibition where he focuses on the recent issues that are challenging South Africa at large. In the new artworks Sango portrays the issue social life and of Covid 19 on how it has and still affecting everyone and the country. In 2023 Filita participated in a mural art competition that was organised by BMW in East London where he won the first place from the competition. Sango is now creating new works and doing new experiments for his PhD upcoming exhibition.
Oil and Acrylic on Black Paper
59.4 x 84.1 cm
2023
Price:R8 500 (Unframed)
Umzamo siwuzamile” We have tried our best
Oil and Acrylic on Black Paper
59.4 x 84.1 cm
2023
Price: R9 000 (Unframed)
Maqoma (The Xhosa Warrior)
Oil and Acrylic on Black Paper
59.4 x 84.1 cm
2023
SOLD
The New Nongqwuse 2023
Oil and Acrylic on Black Paper
59.4 x 84.1 cm
2023
Price: R9 000 (Unframed)
Isimemo
Oil and Acrylic on Black Paper
59.4 x 84.1 cm
2023
Price: R 7 000 (Unframed)
Isimemo II
Oil and Acrylic on Black Paper
59.4 x 84.1 cm
2024
Price: R 7 000 (Unframed)
Isimemo III
Oil and Acrylic on Black Paper
59.5 x 84.1 cm
2024
Price: R 7 000 (Unframed)
King Msobomvu Maqoma
Mixed Media on Black Paper
59.5 x 84.1 cm
2024
SOLD
uMalume Diptyche
Oil and Acrylic on Black Paper
29.7 x 42 (X2)
2023
Price: R 5 000 (Unframed)
African Daughter
Mixed Media on Brown Paper
84.1 x 118.9 cm
2024
Price: R 9 600 (Unframed)
Sungxola/Don't Make Noise
Mixed Media on Brown Paper
59.5 x 84.1
2023
Price: R 9 500 (Unframed)
Inqwelo Manqina/Girl on Horse
Mixed Media on Brown Paper
84.1 x 118.9 cm
R 3 500
2024
Msuthukazi
Mixed Media on Brown Paper
84.1 x 118.9 cm
2024
Price: R 9 200 (Unframed)
Izabazana (Mother of the Initiate)
Mixed Media on Brown Paper
59.5 x 84.1 cm
2023
Price: R 6 500 (Unframed)
Praying Woman
Mixed Media on Brown Paper
42 x 59.4 cm
2023
Price: R 4 800 (Unframed)
Ama 2k Series (From Jozi)
Mixed Media on Brown
42 x 59.4 cm
2023
R 4 000
Ama 2k Series (To Jozi)
Mixed Media on Brown
42 x 59.4 cm
2023
Price: R 5 000 (Unframed)
Ama 2k Series (Imithwalo/Baggage)
Mixed Media on Brown
42 x 59.4 cm
2023
Price: R 5 000 (Unframed)
Masheleng (Money)
Mixed-Media on Brown Paper
42 x 59.4 cm
2023
SOLD
The Trade
Mixed-Media on Brown Paper
42 x 59.4 cm
2023
SOLD
One for the Labourers
Mixed-Media on Brown Paper
42 x 59.4 cm
2023
Price: R 3 500 (Unframed)
These works were submitted for the "Monna ke Nku..." Group Exhibition that was curated by Thomas Masingi at The Viewing Room Art Gallery in April 2025.
Theme: Indoda Ayikhali
Indoda ayikhali (a man does not cry), is a Xhosa phrase that is used to encourage men to always be strong. This phrase is often used when men are faced with difficulties such as unemployment, divorce, losing a loved one or any circumstance that could be detrimental to their mental health. Being someone that has experienced the loss of a loved one, I have realised that as a man you have to be strong for everyone except yourself. During preparations for the burial there is no time for you to process the trauma, you are expected to work in the same way as other people offering support, until everything is done. After the burial everyone leaves, then the reality of the matter will kick in and you must be quiet because everyone around is going through the same process. However, what I have learnt from this journey is the fact that men are supportive to one another no matter what happens, maybe this is one of the reasons that motivates one to act strong because you do not want to let them down or seem weak in their presence.
The notion of indoda ayikhali can also be compared to character of a sheep because of its sensitivity, even in other South African tribes most men are referred to as sheep since they do not speak up about their problems. There is a phrase in Sepedi that goes “monna ke nku”, it touches not only on issues that men go through daily but also to celebrate the roles they play in the lives of those around them. Sheep are complex animals, known for their meat, wool and for being social. One can think of a sheep as potentially a provider (meat) and protector/one who brings warmth (wool). Furthermore, men are generally social, especially in spaces where they are appreciated.
In my art creation there is a link between sheep and men, I have tried to narrate a short scene of a men in difficult times and how they would behave sometimes. As a Xhosa man one is expected to go through something I would call liminal stages, where one must first do duties of being a boy such being a herd boy. If that boy becomes strong it can the pass-through initiation stage, then after he can go and hustle to be a better man around the community and do the family cultural practices. Even during death, one must be able to show strength, courage and acceptance but not grief and this is what my work is reflecting on.
