I was in a sombre mood as I stepped through the front doors of an impressive Houghton, Johannesburg, mansion on Tuesday evening to attend a VIP viewing of a very special art collection.
The collector, Nwabisa Xayiya, was someone I had met on a few occasions in the course of writing this column — a woman with grace and charm who, even when I once pointed out she was wearing an identical outfit to another guest at a glamorous do, reacted with quiet amusement rather than horror.
Sadly, the wife of Mvelapanda co-founder Mikki Xayiya was not there to greet us on this unseasonably chilly Joburg evening — she passed away in May from cancer.
Instead we were left to feel her presence through an impressive compendium of some 300 works, which Nwabisa had collected over the last 10 years of her life, ranging from the bold Blessing Ngobeni diptych that commands attention as you enter the house to the poetic cluster of George Pemba oils that bookend the walls in another room.
I pick up a flute of champers and set out to find Kholisa Thomas, the glamorous and philanthropic wife of Nedbank group exec Ciko Thomas, who had invited me to the viewing in her role as client advisory for art auction house Aspire, which is handling the sale of Nwabisa’s collection.
Kholisa tells me that Nwabisa would have turned 40 the day before, and that friends, family and loved loves had marked that posthumous milestone in an “emotional celebration of life”.
On to saying hello to Makgati Molebatsi, the co-founder of the Latitudes Art Fair (now operating strictly online), and Sydney Mbhele, Sanlam’s brand maestro, before I spot another familiar face at the edge of the outdoor patio, his facemask firmly in place.
That’s Adrian Gore, the business visionary behind SA’s largest medical insurer, Discovery.
With the pandemic never straying from any of our thoughts, we chat vaccination rates, and Adrian tells me that 60% of all adult and 80% of all over-60 Discovery members have had the jab to date.
Turns out that aside from health, Adrian, there with his wife Lauren, has a passion for African art — a few years ago he and fellow business heavy Brian Joffe opened up their sizeable wallets to invest in Aspire.
Speaking of the moneyed set, this was a gathering of the discreet sort who also understand the value of investing in art.
Folk like Barloworld Group CEO Dominic Sewela, Isaac Shongwe (the Letsema founder who chortled when he recognised me for once mentioning that he famously turned down the Guptas’ offer to buy his company; they then went knocking on Regiment’s door) and Malungelo Zilimbola, whose company Mazi Capital manages a hefty R38bn in assets.
What were they looking at? I asked, to which Isaac answered, “Pemba” and Dominic mentioned Dumile Feni.
On to catching up with Angie Chapman, who sits on the board of the Wits Arts Museum, and Aspire’s MD, Ruarc Peffers.
Elsewhere, I greet Jennifer Moss of luxury watch company Picot & Moss, and meet communications exec Pamella Radebe and prominent attorney Basetsana Molebatsi (strikingly dressed in a Rich Factory kimono). And then there was a mysterious guest, dashing in a grey blazer, who offered only the pseudonym of “Shandwa Shukran” when I asked for his name after he agreed to pose in an ensemble photograph. Hmmm ...
Though I was disappointed that Mikki didn’t attend the gathering (I wanted to ask about the choice of selling the collection rather than placing it on permanent display — how incredible would it be to have a Nwabisa in New York’s Whitney museum?), his son Sandile was there to represent the family.
Sandile, in a video flighted during the event, said Nwabisa “played a very huge role in my appreciation of art”.
We enjoyed tasty morsels from caterer Vicki Clarke, including prawn wantons with coriander sweet chilli dip, Peking duck pancakes and small bowls of slow-roasted lamb shoulder on a bed of mashed potatoes as we viewed the art — which includes a handful of Kentridges (one expected to fetch in the early seven-figure range), a Preller and urban scenes painted by Gerard Sekoto.
If you’re interested in snapping up a piece from this extraordinary collection, the live auction of 100 lots takes place today, Sunday, in Houghton at 11am, and the online auction of 205 works closes on Monday at 6pm.
Would you like to comment on this article?
Sign up (it's quick and free) or sign in now.
Please read our Comment Policy before commenting.