A reflection on youth, creativity, and renewal through South Africa’s comic culture
Courtesy of Rainbow Nation Comics.
From September 30 to November 22, 2025, the Wits Art Museum presents an exhibition by Rainbow Nation Comics, South Africa’s first creator-owned comic book publisher and youth culture brand. Founded in 2018 by brothers Phemelo and Omphile Dibodu, the studio has emerged as a leading platform for local storytelling, exploring identity, resilience, and imagination through the visual language of comics.
At the centre of the exhibition is the Young Nelson series, which follows Thabo MoAfrika, a young boxer whose nickname pays homage to Nelson Mandela. The character embodies the courage and moral conviction associated with Mandela’s legacy, reinterpreted for a new generation. Through his journey, the series reflects on the challenges facing South African youth — unemployment, inequality, and the need for collective renewal in a rapidly changing society.
The presentation examines how Thabo’s personal transformation reflects a broader social narrative, in which creativity becomes a form of endurance and care. His discovery of Ubuntu underscores the importance of connection and empathy as guiding principles for a nation still shaped by transition. Large-scale prints, sketches, and selected panels trace the evolution of the Young Nelson story and the creative process behind it.
Young Nelson builds on the rich history of comic art, making it both accessible and intellectually resonant. The exhibition recognises the medium’s role in shaping cultural identity and promoting visual literacy. It also situates South African comic art within a global movement that merges traditional storytelling with contemporary themes. The inclusion of the 2008 authorised Nelson Mandela comic book places the work within a broader lineage of visual narratives that document social change and nation-building.
Through their work, Rainbow Nation Comics promotes creativity as a tool for empowerment and civic engagement. Their approach reflects a commitment to accessible artmaking that speaks directly to youth and community audiences. By transforming familiar materials and local idioms into contemporary visual form, the Dibodu brothers contribute to an expanding field of African comics that combine artistic innovation with social reflection.
The exhibition affirms the role of visual storytelling in South Africa’s evolving cultural landscape. By bringing Young Nelson into the institutional setting of the Wits Art Museum, it acknowledges comics as both artistic expression and educational practice, capable of fostering understanding and inspiring participation.
The exhibition is on view from September 30 to November 22 2025, at the Wits Art Museum, Johannesburg. For more information, visit www.wits.ac.za/wam
