Pietermaritzburg, 24 June 2026: Midlands Mall will open the 2026 ARTopia exhibition next week, offering visitors a chance to engage with a colourful celebration of creativity, following its highest participation to date. A total of 23 schools from Pietermaritzburg and surrounding regions entered this year’s Ocean Odyssey-themed contest, exceeding the numbers recorded in 2025.

Running from Tuesday 30 June to Sunday 19 July, the exhibition invites visitors to step into a colourful gallery of imagination, where learners from Grades 1 to 7 have brought their interpretations of the underwater world to life in the most colourful ways.

From Classroom Creativity to Centre Stage

Over the past few months, learners have been hard at work on their artworks at their schools, exploring the Ocean Odyssey theme through a range of visual media. The Midlands Mall marketing team have also visited numerous schools, encouraging them to put their best foot forward.

The brief encouraged learners to interpret the ocean in their own way, with artworks capturing everything from vibrant coral reefs and marine life to imaginative scenes featuring mythical sea creatures, hidden treasure and underwater adventures.

Soon, at the mall, selected artworks from each school will be curated into a lively exhibition space, offering visitors the opportunity to enjoy the work up close. From detailed drawings and paintings to textured collages and three-dimensional creations, each piece reflects a unique perspective on life beneath the waves.

The Public Has Its Say

As part of the exhibition, shoppers are invited to vote for their favourite artworks across three grade categories, ranging from grades 1 to 7. Voting will remain open throughout the exhibition period, with the final winners determined by the votes received. One lucky voter will win a R2 000 Liberty Midlands Mall gift voucher.

There is R45 000 in prize money up for grabs, with each winning learner’s school set to receive R15 000. In addition, the three winning artworks will be transformed into limited-edition keepsakes such as colouring-in books, pencil cases and sling bags, to be shared with shoppers in phase 3 of the project, extending the impact of the learners’ creativity beyond the exhibition itself.

Lawrence Joubert, General Manager of Midlands Mall, says the response this year has been exceptional. “Seeing 23 schools take part in ARTopia 2026 is really special. The exhibition is filled with imagination, colour and thoughtful storytelling, and it is wonderful to see how learners have interpreted the theme in such different ways. We encourage shoppers to come through, spend time at the exhibition and support these young artists by casting their votes.”

The ARTopia exhibition will be open to the public at Midlands Mall from 30 June to 19 July. Visitors are encouraged to take their time exploring the display and to vote for the artworks that stand out to them.

For more information on Liberty Midlands Mall and its events, go to midlandsmall.co.za or follow Liberty Midlands Mall on social media @libertymidlandsmall.

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The Minister of Basic Education, Ms Siviwe Gwarube, recently gazetted the first two sets of regulations under the Basic Education Laws Amendment Act (BELA Act) of 2024 for public comment. These regulations focus on school admissions, language policy, and school capacity. The Department claims they are designed to uphold learners’ rights, improve school functionality, and balance powers between schools and government.

Why This Is Controversial:

Critics say the regulations deviate from the original BELA Act and may harm learners rather than help them. Key concerns include:

• Feeder Zones vs. Education Districts: The regulations introduce “feeder zones” to control enrolment, replacing the Act’s reference to broader “education districts”. Experts warn this could reinforce local demographic homogeneity, limiting access for previously disadvantaged learners.

• HOD Admission Authority: The Head of Department (HOD) can overrule school governing bodies, potentially reducing transparency and increasing political influence in placements.

• Language Policy Risks: Critics, including the GOOD Party, argue that language rules in schools could preserve historical privileges and entrench exclusion rather than promote inclusivity.

• Parental Rights and Immunisation Rules: Parents remain concerned about compulsory vaccination proof for admission, with exemptions requiring bureaucratic approval.

• Learner Impact: Confusion over regulations, delays, and fragmented implementation may disrupt learning, increase administrative burdens on schools, and leave vulnerable learners at risk of exclusion.

Stakeholder Reactions:

• SADTU accuses the Minister of using the regulations to sow confusion, delay implementation, and advance a political agenda, highlighting that the Act itself grants only the power to make regulations, not guidelines.

• The GOOD Party warns that new language in the regulations undermines legislative intent and could entrench historical inequalities.

• PEESA supports reform to enforce accountability; however, it stresses that regulations should not remove powers from school governing bodies.

Call to Action:

Parents, educators, and concerned citizens are urged to review the draft regulations and submit feedback before September 30, 2025. Comments can be sent to AdmissionRegz@dbe.gov.za. You can also make your voice heard via dearsouthafrica.co.za/.

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