The Inheems 2025 Art Festival took at the Riversdale Civic Centre on the 5th and 6th of September, transforming the venue into a hub of youth, culture, art and conservation. The Gouritz Cluster Biosphere Reserve (GCBR) and Hessequa Libraries organised the third annual Inheems Teen Art Competition as a way to highlight the creativity of local teenagers and foster a deeper appreciation of the unique natural and cultural heritage of the Hessequa region.
The two-day art festival welcomed visitors not only to view the artwork submitted by Hessequa’s teens, but also to enjoy the curated Inspired by Nature exhibition and a beautiful fynbos wall installation by Deiderik Geldenhuys. The lively atmosphere extended beyond the exhibition walls, with a variety of stalls, delicious food, and family-friendly activities including a selfie booth, treasure hunt, lawn games, and face painting, making the festival a joyful community celebration.
Inspiring Young Artists to Celebrate Nature and Heritage
Earlier in the year, teenagers (13–19) living in Hessequa were invited to enter the Inheems Teen Art Competition. The challenge: to explore and celebrate the rich biodiversity, landscapes, and cultural stories of the region through artistic expression.
Workshops were offered across the region, by professional artists, to help teens hone their skills, discover new techniques, gain confidence, and offer the space and tools for all teens to get creative and learn. These workshops were open to all teens but were especially focussed to offer support to those from under-privileged circumstances who may lack access to art supplies to enable them to participate in the Inheems Teen Art Competition.
A Festival of Colour, Music, and Community
This year’s festivals highlights included the Inheems Teen Art Exhibition, a prize giving ceremony on Friday with a special performance by the remarkable Panorama Primary School Choir, fresh fynbos bouquets on Saturday, and a lively marimba performance by the talented youth of Empower Drumming Academy. The Inspired by Nature exhibition added an extra layer of depth, connecting the young artists’ works to the broader community of professional creatives who continue to find inspiration in the landscapes, plants, and culture of the Gouritz Region.
Recognising Outstanding Talent: The 2025 Winners
A panel of judges carefully evaluated this year’s entries, considering creativity, technical skill, emotional depth, and relevance to the natural and cultural themes of the competition. With so much talent on display, choosing winners was no easy task but they were guided by representation of the theme (50%), artistic skill and creativity (50%). A representative from the Riversdale Library ensured that this was a blind judging and that fair proceedings were adhered to.
Winners of the Inheems Teen Art Competition 2025
Our Flora
Celebrate the indigenous plants of our region – from towering trees to colourful wildflowers, hardy succulents, grasses and mosses. Think fynbos, forest species, and veld plants that bring life and colour to our landscape.
1st Prize: Nika Oosthuizen, Skillie in die Veld – R1 000
2nd Prize: Carla Mouton, We will cover you with his feathers – R700
3rd Prize: Georgina Thornley, Diversity – R500
Our Fauna
Portray the incredible animals that live in our region including, mammals, birds, reptiles, insects, and marine life. Whether big or small, these creatures share our world and play a vital role in our ecosystems.
1st Prize: Mia Du Plessis, Beauty in the wings – R1 000
2nd Prize: Hymne Steyn, The Blue Waltz – R700
3rd Prize: Amelie Lotterie, Ostrich – R500
Our Landscapes & Seascapes
Capture the natural beauty of our surroundings – from the Langeberg Mountains, rolling fynbos covered hills, and the Goukou River to crashing waves, pristine beaches and tidal pools. This is your chance to depict your appreciation of the natural world around you.
1st Prize: Maria Basson, Fynbos Hoogbloei – R1 000
2nd Prize: Monica Ferrer, Rock Rabbits – R700
3rd Prize: Robyn Minnie, Melkhoutstilte – R500
Our People
Our region is home to many cultures and deep histories, from the wisdom of the Khoi and San to the traditions of farming and fishing families. You are invited to honour and celebrate our indigenous people from our past and present.
1st Prize: Zanel Meyer, Sugar Girl – R1 000
2nd Prize: Ruben Basson, Ek is ‘n plasseun met my hond – R700
3rd Prize: Lana Wolmarans, Fisherman – R500
Our Future
Imagine what lies ahead. You might show a hopeful future where people and nature thrive together – clean rivers, safe wildlife, and strong, sustainable communities. Or perhaps you’ll create a warning of what could happen if we ignore the impacts of climate change, pollution, and biodiversity loss.
1st Prize: Bailey Lotterie, The Ghost of You – R1 000
2nd Prize: Marni Nothnagel – Vasgevang maar vry – R700
3rd Prize: Angela Joubert – Pilar van Hoop – R500
Bailey’s explanation of her artwork is exactly what this competition is all about. Take a moment read this young artists’ explanation of her painting.
“It is sad that in the Hessequa, a word meaning “People of the trees”, very few indigenous trees are left. It is even more devastating that the one Southern Afrotemperate forest that does remain in the area is constantly being threatened by invasive alien species and inconsiderate agriculture. This forest, found in Grootvadersbosch, shelters species like the Charaxes xiphares occidentalis butterfly, Myosorex longicaudatus boosmani forest shrew, Bradypodion venustum dwarf chameleon, and the Heleophrayne orientalis ghost frog, all of which are endangered and endemic to this specific forest. When its gone, so are they.”
Merit Awards
Seven merits awarded for outstanding artworks that represented the themes and displayed artistic skill. Three special merits awarded to emerging artists with high potential.
Robyn Rischmuller – Lepus Saxatilis
Jeanne-Marie Rousseau – Ocean Hunter
Georgina Thornley – Diversity
Amelie Lotterie – South African Jacobin Cuckoo
Zanel Meyer – Oupa
Monica Ferrer – Botanical Beauties
Angela Joubert – Bergkat
Special Merit Awards
Chrisne Kemp – My Safe Space
Jaden Juta – Calmness of the Forest
Keyshia Joseph – Proteas Toernooi
Design Category
Three artworks have been selected for their graphic appeal and suitability to appear on GCBR apparel which is sold to raise awareness and support conservation. Keep you eye out for these new designs coming soon to www.shop.gouritz.com
Theklea Botes, Natural Connection – R5 000
Jeanne-Marie Rousseau, Ocean Hunter – R5 000
Mia Du Plessis, Beauty in the Wings – R5 000
Thank you
The organisers extend heartfelt gratitude to everyone who contributed to making this year’s event a success, the talented teen participants, the judges, volunteers who worked tirelessly behind the scenes and to those who attended the festival.
Special appreciation goes to the local artists and artisans who participated in the Inspired by Nature exhibition, the vendors who brought colour and vibrance to the stalls, the incredible Panorama Primary School Choir and the talented marimba band from Empower Drumming Academy who filled the venue with joy during their rhythmic performances.
The support of sponsors made it possible to create a memorable festival experience. Thank you so Riversdale Garden Center for decorating the venue with beautiful indigenous plants. Our heartfelt gratitude to De Berg Flowers, Kanetberg Flora, Mont Blanc Flora, and Francell Vermaak for the generous donations of locally grown, indigenous fynbos that were showcased beautifully by floral artist extraordinaire, Diederik Geldenhuys.
Lastly to our partners; IMS Foundation who provided the bulk of the funding for Inheems 2025 and to Hessequa Libraries for their tireless work in bringing this initiative to life together with the GCBR team.
Looking Ahead
As we reflect on the triumph of the Inheems Art Festival 2025, it is clear that the event is growing in significance and impact. By nurturing young talent, deepening appreciation for the region’s natural and cultural heritage, and uniting the community, Inheems is building a legacy that will inspire future generations.