Important note: Information in this article was accurate in 2004. The state of the art may have changed since the publication date.
Sunday Times (Johannesburg) - November 7, 2004
Lesley Mofokeng
GRAFFITI artist Themba Malaza's creativity cost him dearly, when he was caught using a wall behind a Troyeville factory, in Joburg, as his canvas.
The 28-year-old artist, who has done a series of high-profile graffiti campaigns for government departments, is sitting out a 15-month jail term in Leeuwkop Prison.
Malaza was jailed in August, after being found guilty of vandalism, a charge brought by the owners of the factory.
Security guards at Aberdare Cables spotted Malaza spray-painting a wall at the back of the company's premises in June. The police were called and Malaza was taken into custody and refused bail.
He has since been convicted and sentenced to 15 months in jail.
Malaza's portfolio includes work done for the ANC during this year's elections and promotional images for Cell C, Sprite, the Department of Transport and the Department of Trade and Industry.
Malaza and his business partner Chris (who asked that his surname not be used) worked on the space along Oxford Road, in Rosebank, where a variety of murals were painted.
Malaza's friends, led by the Yfm generation (group of young listeners of radio station Yfm) have launched the "Free Themba Malaza" campaign.
Campaign spokesman Mpume Kotane says it is hypocritical that the same government that commissioned him to do work for them has jailed him. "When he did all the work for them, it was not graffiti, but when he expresses himself as an artist it's seen as criminal. How hypocritical!
"We are saying 'free Themba' because he did nothing wrong. He was expressing himself as an artist."
At the time of his arrest, Malaza's mother - who has asked that she not be identified - unsuccessfully tried to have the charges withdrawn and even repainted the wall.
Chris described Malaza's arrest as unbelievably ironic. "We put the President's face all over South Africa ... when we do it for them, that is art and not vandalism."
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