On 10 October 2024, in celebration of World Mental Health Day, we proudly launched the Reimagining Themba project – South Africa’s first-ever child mental health awareness campaign held in a township. Using art as a medium, the initiative set out to challenge stigma and spark vital conversations around mental well-being.

The project name, Themba – meaning hope in Zulu – reflects the essential qualities children need to thrive.

A Celebration of Strength and Individuality

Renowned South African artist Mikhailia Petersen created striking analogue portraits of twelve young mentees from the Little Lions Child Coaching programme. Each portrait highlighted the unique strengths these children identified in themselves, offering a moving visual narrative that celebrated individuality, resilience, and courage.

A Community at the Centre

The launch was marked by a special installation at Guga S’thebe – the vibrant community centre recently visited by the Dutch King and Queen. In addition, Petersen’s portraits lined 2.5km of Langa’s main road for one month, transforming public space into an inspiring open-air gallery that brought the message of hope and mental health to the heart of the community.

Global Support, Local Impact

Earlier in 2024, Little Lions received support from Lady Gaga’s Born This Way Foundation, strengthening its mission to empower children in under-resourced communities. Through its programmes, Little Lions builds mental resilience and nurtures future leaders – showing that hope and healing begin at the community level.

About the Artist: Mikhailia Petersen

Working exclusively with analogue film, Petersen focuses on portraiture as a medium of truth and celebration. Her work seeks to reframe how POC and LGBTQIA+ individuals are portrayed, shifting from narratives of hardship to those of strength and beauty.

In 2024, Petersen presented work from Reimagining Themba at the RMB Latitudes Art Fair in Johannesburg, curated by RESERVOIR. The stand was awarded the Lexus Best Stand Award, further recognising the power of her storytelling through photography.