At an age when many people are slowing down, Lorraine D Bezuidenhout is still chasing colour, inspiration and that perfect brushstroke.
The talented 84-year-old artist from Kennerley Retirement Complex in Bonza Bay still paints daily — her canvasses bursting with roses, rich African traditions and stories gathered over a lifetime spent observing the beauty of Xhosa people and their culture.
And somewhere between the paint tubes, easels and acrylic-covered hands is a remarkable story that stretches from Kubusie trading stores to the home of former president Nelson Mandela.
Bezuidenhout’s artistic journey began in 1979, long before social media art pages and online galleries existed.
Back then, while her family owned a trading store in Kubusie outside Stutterheim, she quietly spent her spare time mastering her craft, unaware that her paintings would one day catch the attention of some of SA’s most respected leaders.
These days, the soft-spoken and kindhearted artist is busy preparing a new collection of acrylic paintings in various-sized canvasses for the upcoming Art Section exhibition at the retirement home on May 30.
But long before retirement complex exhibitions, Lorraine’s life was already a colourful adventure.
Her family later relocated to Qonce, [formerly King William’s Town], where she tutored accounting and business management to local entrepreneurs in the former Ciskei region.
After her two eldest sons completed matric, the family returned to KuGompo City, where she worked for a Taiwanese company that operated in the former Transkei.
Little did she know those years spent travelling between the former Ciskei and Transkei would completely reshape her artistic voice.
“It was during the time spent in these two regions, the former Ciskei and Transkei, that’s where my fascination with the Xhosa people’s unique customs and artistic expressions truly began to flourish, opening my eyes to the vibrant tapestry of their heritage and inspiring a new direction in my artwork,” said Bezuidenhout.
“My first African painting was sold to a German tourist, but my first Xhosa painting was sold to late minister Steve Tshwete.
“Since then, I have painted many Xhosa paintings in series from beadwork of Eastern Africa to traditions of the AbaThembu people, tata Madiba’s clan.”
One of her biggest supporters was former premier Nosimo Balindlela.
“Nosimo had one of my large rose paintings in her office.
“That was very humbling to me, I still remember her.
“Seeing my work displayed in that beautiful way for people to see felt good,” said Bezuidenhout.
Then came the moment many artists only dream about.
After a decade of painting professionally and researching Xhosa traditions between 1995 and 2005, she received one of the greatest honours of her life — an audience with Mandela at his Houghton home through the Nelson Mandela Foundation.
The meeting felt surreal.
“I presented him with two of my Xhosa paintings and he was delighted with my work.
“I am so proud and honoured to have been chosen from the Eastern Cape and given a meeting with our past beloved Tata Mandela.
“And because of my love for Mandela I share my art signed with my Xhosa name Thandokazi on all my paintings. This is a special name to me because it was given to me by tata Mandela,” she said.
There is something poetic about the fact that Bezuidenhout was born on Valentine’s Day, because flowers, especially roses, have remained one of her greatest artistic loves.
“I have used all mediums from oils to alcohol inks,” she said.
Three years ago, Bezuidenhout sadly lost her husband Elmo, affectionately known as Mo, who was more than just her life partner but also her trusted Xhosa translator, helping her communicate the culture she had grown to love so deeply despite not speaking the language herself.
Yet even through loss, she continues painting.
Every brushstroke now feels like memory, tribute and celebration rolled into one.
At 84, while many are putting their feet up, Bezuidenhout is still standing in front of a canvas, proving that passion does not retire — it simply finds new colours.
