PANAMA CITY, PANAMA — South Africa’s creative brilliance took centre stage in Central America on January 24, 2026, as world-renowned visual activist Zanele Muholi unveiled the landmark exhibition Amalanga awafani (Days are not the same) at Fundación Casa Santa Ana.
More than an exhibition opening, the evening became a triumphant expression of cultural diplomacy — affirming South Africa’s place as a formidable force on the global art map.
Marking Muholi’s first major presentation in the region, the exhibition brings together two of their most celebrated bodies of work, Somnyama Ngonyama (Hail the Dark Lioness) and Faces and Phases. The portraits confronted audiences with unapologetic declarations of Black queer presence, resilience and dignity — themes that resonated deeply across borders, histories and identities.
The opening night unfolded as a multi-sensory experience where art moved beyond the gallery walls. South African operatic vocals intertwined with contemporary choreography by Lusanda Dayimani, transforming the space into a living expression of resistance, remembrance and joy. Conversations flowed between Panama’s cultural leaders and international guests, creating a rare moment of cross-continental dialogue grounded in shared humanity.
Muholi’s work — long supported through initiatives such as the Muholi Art Institute — continues to operate as both artistic practice and visual activism. Everyday objects became regal crowns; direct gazes demanded recognition. Each image served as a reminder that visibility itself can be an act of courage.
In Panama, South Africa did not merely export art — it exported Ubuntu. The exhibition echoed the relational themes explored in earlier global conversations around humanity and interconnectedness, similar to reflections seen in exhibitions revisiting evolution and coexistence, such as NOWinSA’s coverage of art that revisits human-plant evolutionary relationships.
“These images capture the collective joy and the defiant beauty of an opening that extended Muholi’s daily prayer of portraiture into a shared space of affirmation,” the Muholi Art Institute noted following the launch.
For young South African creatives watching from home, Amalanga awafani stands as proof that local stories hold global power. Muholi’s journey from Johannesburg to Panama City reinforces a vital truth: authenticity travels, resistance resonates, and South African excellence belongs on the world’s most prestigious cultural stages.
Amalanga awafani builds on South Africa’s history of art that challenges perception, preserves memory, and amplifies marginalized voices on the world stage. Muholi’s exhibition demonstrates that local stories, when told with courage and creativity, can inspire audiences far beyond their origin.
As Amalanga awafani continues its run in Panama, it leaves behind more than photographs on walls. It leaves inspiration, connection and a powerful affirmation that when South African art speaks, the world listens.
About the artist: Zanele Muholi
Born in Umlazi, Durban, Zanele Muholi is a world-renowned visual activist whose work has been exhibited at prestigious institutions such as the Tate Modern in London and the Venice Biennale.
Through their lens, Muholi documents and celebrates the lives of Black LGBTQIA+ individuals, turning photography into a “daily prayer” of visibility and resistance. Their most famous series, Faces and Phases, is a living archive spanning over 16 years, ensuring that the stories of South Africa’s queer community are preserved and shared on a global stage.
