What started as a bold vision shared by two Willowmore residents has now blossomed into something truly inspiring.
Revive Willowmore, the local non-profit organisation established by El-Anne Smith and Veronica du Plessis in 2023, continues to breathe new life into this small Karoo town – one project at a time.
After successfully leading Willowmore to become an Eastern Cape finalist in the 2023 Kwêla Dorp van die Jaar competition and securing R200 000 from Lottoland to upgrade the town’s recycling facility and youth training centre, Revive Willowmore has stayed true to its mission of “creating a legacy of change for future generations”.
This month, June 2025, they tackled one of the town’s most visibly neglected buildings right in the centre of town – a long-forgotten structure that had become an eyesore for residents and visitors alike.
But instead of simply patching it up, the team took a creative leap by transforming its side into a work of art.
The result is a mural that is already turning heads and sparking conversation.
According to Revive Willowmore chairperson, Veronica du Plessis, the idea was inspired by a recent visit to Friemersheim.
“When we saw the incredible murals on the buildings there, we knew we had to do something similar in Willowmore. We approached artist Fourie Ackermann, whose work in Friemersheim left a deep impression, and the rest is history,” said Du Plessis.
Ackermann began painting on 17 June, starting with a striking kudu – the animal chosen by the community.
Over the past two weeks, the wall has gradually been transformed into a breathtaking Karoo landscape, capturing the essence of the region with stunning detail and warmth.
Locals and visitors alike are encouraged to stop by and see the mural for themselves – a proud symbol of Willowmore’s revival and the power of community-driven change.
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