The FNB Art Joburg Art Prize has given her a voice, says multidisciplinaryartist Kelebogile Marope

Kachingwe-Sisya in turn announced Marope as the brand new FNB Art Joburg Prize winner, joining a long list of African artists, who have been rewarded by the Prize for their artistic excellence over the years.

By Edward Tsumele, CITYLIFE/ARTS Editor

Winning the FNB Art Joburg Art Prize for 2026, is more than just winning, but much more, said multidisciplinary artist Kelebogile  Marope, at the award announcement held on Wednesday, 12 August an Nine Yards in Rosebank.

The event hosted by curator and art advisor Mpumi Mayisa, which was held at the new lifestyle centre, tucked on the busy Jan Smuts, in the newly opened corporate space, The Venue, saw a large number of attendees, mainly the media and other art stakeholders. Such as a team from FNB, the sponsor of FNB Art Joburg since its inception 18 years ago, led by its newly appointed Chief Marketing Officer Linda Kachingwe-Sisya. Kachingwe-Sisyawas welcomed into the art ecosystem by FNB Art Jourg Managing Director Mandla Sebeko, who thanked the bank for its vision to support the arts on the African continent.

Kachingwe-Sisya in turn announced Marope as the brand new FNB Art Joburg Prize winner, joining a long list of African artists, who have been rewarded by the Prize for their artistic excellence over the years.

Artists such as Kudzanai Chiurai, have gone on to build a sustainable career in the art ecosystem globally, startingsucessful initiatives such as the important art space at 44 Stainely, the Library of Things Unsaid, as well as being collected by prestigious institutions and prominent art collectors around the world.

Portia Zwavahere is another artist, who after winning this Prize witnessed her career grow exponentially, exhibiting art prestigious art platforms, such as international art fairs and the Venice Biennale.

South African photographer Lindokuhle Sobekwa, a past winner of the FNB Art Jourg Art Prize, is today an internationally reputed photographer enjoying extended seasons of international exhibitions.Kachingwe-Sisyaacknowledged the important contribution these artists are currently making in telling African stories.

And therefore, when Marope stood on the podium to officially accept the prize, it was understandable when she was visibly excited and made the announcement that winning the prize was a big deal for her and Botswana’s art sector.

“Being awarded is more than the money I got. This Prize has given me a voice to build an art infrastructure back home. I cannot wait to fly back tomorrow to Botswana with a great feeling and excitement that I cannot explain,”Marope said.

This is the first time that an artist from Botswana has won this award. However, in recent years Botswana has emerged as one of the countries that have increasingly had representation at the annual FNB Art Joburg. It therefore makes sense that this time around, an artist from Botswana has won this prestigious art prize, which definitely opens doors for the winners, having access to a global art market as well as accessing spaces that are elusive, especially for emerging African artists.

 Now in its 19th edition, FNB Art Joburg’s mandate is to sustainably support and grow the continent’s cultural offering in ways that go beyond the fair. The FNB Art Prize is one of the fair’s most significant commitments to this mandate, the organisers say.

The 2026 FNB Art Prize jury is made up of Kim Kandan (Fair Manager | FNB Art Joburg Representative), Mike Mavura (Curator) and Véronique Savigné (Interior Designer | Art Collector).

On their decision, the jury for the 2026 FNB Art Prize said:“Kelebogile Marope’s practice represents a compelling expansion of contemporary African sculpture. She claimed a traditionally male-dominated medium as her own, perfecting her craft with a level of skill and precision that set her work apart. The jury was particularly impressed by her ability to push the boundaries of sculpture, creating a practice that is both deeply rooted in place and boldly imaginative. Her work demonstrates a distinctive material language and a fresh perspective that embodies the spirit of the FNB Art Prize.”

As the recipient of the 16th FNB Art Prize, Marope joins previous winners Thato Toeba, Gresham Tapiwa Nyaude, Lindokuhle Sobekwa, Dada Khanyisa, Wycliffe Mundopa, Lady Skollie, Bronwyn Katz, Haroon Gunn-Salie, Peju Alatise, Nolan Oswald Dennis, Turiya Magadlela, Portia Zvavahera, Nelisiwe Xaba, Mocke J van Veuren, Kudzanai Chiurai, and Cedric Nunn.

Linda Kachingwe-Sisya, FNB Chief Marketing Officer adds,“We’d like to congratulate Kelebogile Marope on being named the recipient of the 2026 FNB Art Prize. Her work is both deeply personal and universally resonant, demonstrating the power of art to connect us to place, memory and one another. Her achievement reflects not only her exceptional talent and dedication, but also the growing strength, diversity and global relevance of contemporary African creativity. For almost two decades, our partnership with Art Joburg has been rooted in a commitment to nurturing and elevating African talent, creating platforms for artists to grow from emerging talent into globally recognised cultural contributors. Kelebogile’s recognition is a powerful reminder of the extraordinary creative potential that exists across our continent. We are honoured to celebrate her achievement and proud to support platforms that amplify African stories, invest in creative excellence and help shape the future of contemporary African art on the global stage.” 

Working across sculpture, drawing and mixed media, Marope’s practice explores the relationship between memory, identity and the spaces we inhabit. Drawing from domestic environments and everyday materials, she investigates how ordinary objects, surfaces and architectural details become repositories of lived experience. Through a careful and process-led approach, her work reveals how the rituals of daily life shape our understanding of home, belonging and collective memory, inviting viewers to reconsider the significance of the familiar.
 Born in Ramotswa, Botswana, Marope has steadily built a practice that has gained recognition across the region. After completing a Bachelor of Fine Art followed by a Master of Fine Art at Rhodes University, she has exhibited in Botswana and South Africa while continuing to expand her multidisciplinary practice. Her selection as the 2026 FNB Art Prize winner, and notably as the first artist from Botswana to receive the award, marks an important milestone in both her career and the growing international recognition of Botswana’s contemporary art scene.
“Each year, the FNB Art Prize recognises an artist whose practice expands the conversations shaping contemporary African art. Kelebogile’s work demonstrates a remarkable sensitivity to material, memory and lived experience, transforming the everyday into something profoundly resonant. As the first artist from Botswana to receive the prize, her recognition also reflects the depth of artistic excellence emerging from across the continent, reaffirming our commitment to championing voices that deserve greater visibility” affirmed Mandla Sibeko, director of FNB Art Joburg.

“For FNB, supporting the arts is about enabling the art of possibility. It is about backing the ideas, imagination and talent that challenge convention, inspire new ways of thinking and help shape the future. Through our longstanding partnership with Art Joburg, we have remained committed to creating meaningful opportunities for artists to be discovered, recognised and celebrated, while contributing to the growth of a vibrant and sustainable creative ecosystem across the continent. We believe that investing in creativity is an investment in Africa’s future. By supporting platforms that champion both emerging and established artists, we are helping to create pathways for talent to be discovered, celebrated and recognised on a global stage. The arts play a vital role in shaping culture, inspiring new perspectives and telling the stories that define who we are. Through our longstanding partnership with Art Joburg, we remain committed to empowering African artists to amplify their voices, influence cultural conversations and realise their full potential both locally and internationally,” adds Kachingwe-Sisya.

And according to the organisers, The FNB Art Prize forms part of FNB Art Joburg’s long-term commitment to building a stronger and more self-reliant contemporary African art ecosystem. By recognising artists from across the continent and providing a platform that extends beyond the fair itself, the prize invests in sustained artistic careers while broadening the narratives represented within the global cultural landscape. Marope’s recognition signals the importance of supporting excellence wherever it emerges, strengthening regional artistic networks and creating opportunities for African artists to thrive on their own terms.

As the winner of the 2026 Prize, the artist will received a cash prize as well as a solo exhibition at Johannesburg Art Gallery: home of the continent’s largest art collection. The solo exhibition will take place in 2027. 

.FNB Art Joburg will take place at Sandton Convention Centre, 4-6 September, 2026.