Legal updates and opinions
News / News
The painted homes of the Ndebele People
To conclude our series on #Heritage Matters, we look at another example of the Traditional Cultural Expressions found in South Africa.
The Ndebele people are primarily found in the Limpopo and Mpumalanga provinces, and are known for their colourful and geometric art. The Ndebele house paintings are a form of exterior wall art that serves both decorative and symbolic purposes. The paintings are a mixture of natural pigments and modern paints which adorn the walls of Ndebele homes with intricate and symmetrical designs.

The geometrical designs often hold symbolic meaning which represent concepts such as marriage, coming of age, and status. The Ndebele house paintings are not only a reflection of cultural tradition but also a way for Ndebele people to maintain a connection to their heritage in a rapidly changing the world.

Although legislation to protect traditional cultural expressions such as the Ndebele house paintings are not yet in force, there is growing anticipation and hope for its implementation as it promises to provide a platform to assist traditional communities with commercialising their traditional knowledge.
We hope our #HeritageMatters series has been insightful.
Latest News
Understanding the 1 May 2026 BCEA Earnings Threshold Adjustment: Implications for employers and employees
by Banky Sono, Director, Dakalo Singo, Head of Pro Bono, Neo Sewela, Director and Sandile Mogweng, Candidate Attorney The Minister [...]
The Banks Win on Appeal: SCA Overturns R704 Million High Court Judgment
by Tshegofatso Matlou, Associate, reviewed by Jones Antunes, Director In the decision of African Banking Corporation of Zambia Limited and [...]
Out with the Old: South Africa’s Proposed Overhaul of Exchange Controls and the Inclusion of Crypto Assets
by Janice Geel, Associate and Azraa Sidat, Candidate Attorney, reviewed by Natalie Scott, Director and Head of Sustainability On 17 [...]
Do not call me I’ll call you …… South Africa’s 2026 CPA Amendment Regulations: operationalising the national opt‑out regime for direct marketing and shifting day‑to‑day anti‑spam responsibility to the National Consumer Commission
by Ahmore Burger-Smidt, Director and Head of Regulatory The Consumer Protection Act Amendment Regulations, 2026 deliver the long‑awaited operational framework [...]
Business Rescue Applications Under Scrutiny: business rescue orders are not there for the taking!
by Eric Levenstein, Director and Head Insolvency & Business Rescue and Amy Mackechnie, Senior Associate This article considers the recent decision in [...]
The AI Arms Race and what it means for Competition Law: A new era or new focus
by Ahmore Burger-Smidt, Director and Head of Regulatory We are not in the habit of writing breathless technology briefings. That [...]
