When it comes to creativity, Nelson Mandela Bay isn’t following trends; it’s setting them. From world-class illustration to innovative architecture, bold fashion to soulful jazz, our city is home to makers who are turning local inspiration into global recognition. This week for Tourism Tuesdays: Bragging About the Bay, we’re celebrating standout creatives who embody the spirit, culture, and pride of the Bay, proving that our coastal city is as much a hub of artistry as it is of adventure.
Pola Maneli – From Gqeberha to The New Yorker
He’s the Gqeberha illustrator whose work caught the eye of The New Yorker and filmmaker Spike Lee. His bold, thought-provoking illustrations explore identity and politics with depth and style, carrying Bay creative confidence.
Gugu Peteni – Sustainable Style, Global Stage
From the Eastern Cape and trained at Nelson Mandela University, Gugu Peteni is the visionary behind fashion label GUGUBYGUGU. Her designs merge African heritage with sustainable fashion practices, and her work has featured at Paris Haute Couture Week.
Lizo Pemba – The Soul of New Brighton
A cornerstone of Bay artistry, Lizo Pemba paints with heritage and heart. His work captures township life, colour, and emotion in every brush-stroke preserving the culture and stories that make our city special.
Mxolisi “Dolla” Sapeta – Community in Colour
From poetry to paint, Dolla Sapeta uses art to tell the Bay’s truth. His work celebrates ordinary people and powerful stories, while his mentorship of young artists keeps creativity alive and accessible in the community that raised him.
Marcus Wyatt – The Sound of the Bay
A jazz trumpeter and composer born in Port Elizabeth, Marcus Wyatt brings Bay energy wherever he goes. His award-winning compositions and performances connect homegrown rhythm with international acclaim.
Thembela Architects – Building the Bay
Based in Walmer, Thembela Architects are reshaping our skyline. Their civic and commercial projects fuse sustainability with beauty, creating the spaces where the Bay works, gathers and grows.
Lungiswa Gqunta – Global Art, Local Roots
Born in Port Elizabeth, Lungiswa Gqunta has become an international voice in contemporary art. Her installations confront history, space and identity — every piece grounded in her Eastern Cape heritage.
George Pemba – The Original Bay Visionar
Long before “creative economy” was a phrase, George Pemba was painting life in vivid colour. His New Brighton scenes captured the humanity of the Bay — inspiring generations of artists who followed. His influence remains everywhere.
Likhanyile Productions – Lights, Camera, Bay Pride
Telling the Bay’s stories on screen, Likhanyile Productions specialises in film and photography that celebrate place and people. Their storytelling strengthens the region’s growing reputation as a creative hub.
READ MORE
Bragging About the Bay
Nelson Mandela Bay’s creativity is more than a collection of names; it’s a movement. It’s the sound of jazz in a local café, the brush-stroke on a township wall, the design that gives a small business big presence. These makers prove what we’ve always known: the Bay doesn’t need to imitate, we innovate. From gallery walls to global stages, our creatives are flying the flag high and proud.
Leave a Reply