Presidential Gifts for 50 Heads of State — BRICS Summit

For the 2024 BRICS Summit hosted by South Africa, Dr Esther Mahlangu was commissioned to create 50 painted gifts presented to visiting heads of state.

The commission placed Dr Mahlangu's work at the heart of a major moment of international diplomacy, with her Ndebele painting chosen to represent South African culture to dozens of the world's leaders. Each gift translated her signature geometric motifs onto a bespoke object, carrying the tradition of Ndebele design into the hands of global heads of state.

The commission underscored Dr Mahlangu's standing as a cultural ambassador for South Africa — a role she has fulfilled across decades of international exhibitions, commissions and collaborations.