South Africa’s hosting of the recently concluded G20 Leaders’ Summit in Johannesburg extended beyond diplomatic engagements, with the country presenting a curated collection of gifts to dignitaries that highlighted South African creativity, heritage and craftsmanship.
At the centre of the initiative was a set of bespoke bronze sculptures of the country’s Big Five – each animal mounted on South African stone, and accompanied by an African proverb created by a collective of young sculptors under the artistic direction of renowned sculptor Angus Taylor of Dionysus Sculpture Works (DSW) in Pretoria.
The gift collection also included luxury silk and wool scarves, custom-designed by leading local brands Ardmore Collective and Maxhosa, both of which were selected to showcase South Africa’s design innovation on the global stage.
Big Five gifted as symbols of leadership, memory and African wisdom
The bronze sculptures, now in the hands of world leaders, were the result of months of technical collaboration, mentorship, and artistic refinement. A collective of five local sculptors was entrusted with the task of creating sculptures of the Big Five animals, each infused with meaning, symbolism, and distinctly South African character.
Unlike souvenirs one might find at a tourist shop, these works are elevated into timeless art pieces. Each animal is carved with precision, inspired by African proverbs that capture the essence of its character. To ground the works in the land itself, every sculpture was mounted on a unique South African stone, adding an unmistakable sense of place and authenticity.
The project was spearheaded by renowned sculptor Angus Taylor, whose Dionysus Sculpture Works (DSW) studio in Pretoria is known for both technical mastery and mentorship of emerging talent. Taylor himself sculpted the Rhino, but he stressed that the commission is bigger than one artist’s hands.
“This project is about community, about mentoring, and about giving. The G20 gifts are not meant to be objects that gather dust; they are meant to carry meaning. The Big Five are metaphors in themselves, and when you add the African maxims that inspired us, you get something layered; something profound,” he explained.
Angus said the sculptors first worked on pieces three times larger than the final product, then used digital scanning to reduce them to a smaller, practical scale – suitable for gifting heads of state. This approach allows artists to study the animals in greater detail on a large format before refining them into the smaller versions – ensuring accuracy, presence, and proportion.
He stressed that while technology helps with scaling, the true essence of the work lies in the human touch. Every fingerprint, tool mark and hand movement remains visible in the final sculptures, carrying the struggle, effort, and intentionality of the artist. For Angus, this is what gives handmade art its energy and authenticity, a quality that technology alone cannot replicate.
He praised the sculptors’ commitment to their craft, noting that years of dedication often come without financial certainty, yet result in works that are both magnificent and deeply meaningful.
Malose Pete – The Elephant
For Malose Pete, who hails from Ga Matlala, Limpopo, sculpting the elephant was not just a commission but a continuation of his artistic journey. His work has often returned to the elephant as a subject, drawn by its scale, wisdom, and presence.
“The elephant is part of who I am as an artist. I didn’t have to think twice when I chose to sculpt it. It’s quite strange because I’ve done drawings and paintings and screenshots of elephants way before I even knew this project was coming. For me, it speaks to memory, to wisdom, to a kind of patience that we as people often forget,” he said.
Pete anchored his piece in the well-known proverb: “When two elephants fight, the grass suffers”. He explained that this was not only about the weight of power, but also about responsibility. He said it was also fitting given the current dynamics and geopolitical space.
“The proverb reminds us that conflict at the top impacts everyone else. Leaders must be careful about how their actions ripple through the world.”
Theophelus Rikhotso – The Buffalo
Also from Limpopo – in the village of Bungeni Njhakanjhaka, Theophelus Rikhotso found his inspiration in the buffalo – an animal he associates with unity and protection. His studio is filled with references to nature, and he says the buffalo felt like a natural extension of his practice.
“The buffalo is about solidarity. You’ll never see one standing alone. There is a saying I thought about as I worked: A lone buffalo has no strength. They survive, they thrive, only because they stand together. For me, that speaks to the kind of unity Africa and the world needs right now,” he said.
Rikhotso sees his sculpture as a call for cooperation, a quiet reminder that strength is always collective.
Victor Nkuna – The Leopard
For Victor Nkuna, sculpting the leopard was deeply personal. His own path into art was unconventional, shaped less by formal training and more by persistence, resilience, and self-discovery. He connected that to the leopard’s proverb: “A leopard never loses its spots”.
“For me, that’s about staying true to yourself. The leopard is adaptable. It can be in the mountains, in the bush, in the city but it never loses its identity. That is how I feel about myself and about South Africa too. No matter what changes, you hold on to who you are.”
Nkuna’s leopard carries both grace and quiet power, a reflection of his belief that authenticity is itself a form of strength.
Dikeledi Maponya – The Lion
Dikeledi Maponya approached her lion through the lens of maternal power and restraint, drawing inspiration from the proverb: “Lions that lack gathering, assembly, unity is less effective than a limping buffalo”.
“It means that without unity and collaboration amongst strong lions and strong comrades, even something as small or as menial as a quick task will remain incomplete,” she explained.
Her sculpture captures not only the fierceness of the king of beasts, but also the quiet authority of the mother lion, a balance of majesty and responsibility. She chose to sculpt a lioness rather than a male lion, to highlight the overlooked, but vital role of female lions.
“In their community, the females are the ones ensuring survival. They do the heavy lifting; they hunt. The best, most vicious hunters in that community are the lionesses.”
Beyond the animal itself, Maponya sees her work as a mirror for African heritage and leadership values.
“It’s very important that it’s not just a gift. We’re hoping that in it, each spirit or personality of these animals can reflect the African spirit, African tenacity. These are animals that defend themselves; that thrive in their own communities, with their own ways of doing things. We hope that some of these positive aspects can rub off on leadership as a whole,” she said.
Luxury scarves celebrate South Africa’s textile heritage
In addition to the sculptures, South Africa presented dignitaries attending the Summit with high-end textile gifts, crafted by Ardmore and Maxhosa – two of the country’s premier creative brands.
Ardmore Design – “Protea Plains” Silk Scarf
Female G20 spouses and partners received the Ardmore “Protea Plains” Silk Scarf. Produced in the KwaZulu-Natal Midlands, the scarf featured bold botanical illustrations, African wildlife, and the national flower. The luxurious silk scarf reflected bold African-inspired artistry and cultural storytelling. The Protea Plains design captures the vibrancy of SA’s national flower, and the richness of its natural landscapes.
Ardmore is recognised globally for its vibrant artistry, handcrafted textiles and ceramics, and its ability to translate African storytelling into fine design.
Maxhosa Africa – Wool and Silk Scarf
Developed for male recipients, the Maxhosa scarf showcased the iconic beadwork patterns and vibrant colour language of Xhosa culture. As one of Africa’s most influential fashion houses, Maxhosa blends traditional symbolism with modern design, making it a fitting representation of contemporary South African creativity.
Both brands were selected to communicate the richness of South African fashion, textile artistry and cultural narrative in a sophisticated, global-facing manner.
Being part of G20
For the artists, being part of the G20 gift project was more than just a commission — it was a chance to grow, learn, and collaborate in a space led by one of South Africa’s most respected sculptors.
Theo expressed his excitement: “I was so excited to hear that I’d be working with Angus. For me, it was an honour because I’ve always admired his work and his way of art making. I was very fortunate because when I was doing my BTech, we had an opportunity to do my Work Integrated Learning here – so I started seeing his processes, and I fell in love with the craft of wax casting and how it leads to the final product.”
Malose described the experience as surreal: “I think I’m still coming into that reality. It hasn’t really settled in. What has settled is that I’m producing work from Dionysus Sculpture Works. It’s one of the places I’ve admired for a long time, and now I’m here working in it. I’m still acclimatising to that.”
Maponya reflected on the sense of community Angus has built: “This little community that Angus is building… he’s created a small world, a community of sculptors. It’s not just about him. Everyone here is so talented and professional at what they do, which makes you want to step up your own game. The most rewarding part is seeing excellence play out in such a professional setting.”
Nkuna, a self-taught artist, said the project was both humbling and affirming: “I felt honoured and lucky to be involved in this project. I never believed it at first, when I compared myself with the other artists who went to school and here, I am, just a self-taught artist. It really humbles me.”
A Gift with a Soul
Together, the gifts given to dignitaries during the G20 Leaders’ Summit form more than a collection of items. Each is layered with proverb, memory, and artistry; each is rooted in South African culture; and each reflects the hand and heart of an artist with a story to tell. From the sculptors who carved meaning into stone, to Ardmore whose vibrant scarves honour African storytelling, to MaXhosa whose knitwear carries modern heritage into global spaces, every piece offers a chapter of who we are as a nation.
In presenting these gifts at the G20, South Africa offered the world not just art, but wisdom – and a reminder that true leadership draws from identity, values memory, and finds strength in culture. – SAnews.gov.za
