“What’s Been Said. What Still Echoes”

Nelson Makamo’s art doesn’t just travel, it resonates. Here, we offer curated glimpses into the world’s response to his vision and stories that honor his courage, voice, and promise.

Featured Publications

Cover for Times Magazine

Time Magazine: The Art of Optimism

Makamo created the iconic cover for TIME’s “Optimists” issue, featuring a portrait titled Visions of a Limitless Future. Inspired by his cousin Mapule, this oil-on-canvas piece became a global symbol of hope, crafted carefully over months.

“It was a debut I never expected.”

Christophorus Magazine

Inside story of “My Life in Motion,” Makamo’s self-painting of a Porsche 911, a personal tribute to his journey, his mother (“Mma”), and the dream he chased from Limpopo. Praised as a “moving masterpiece.”

Photograph by Porsche SA

Destiny Man

Nelson Makamo graced the cover of Destiny Man in June 2016, a powerful Youth Month edition styled as a salute to young African ambition. He was featured as the standout South African artist, propelling himself from Modimolle, Limpopo, to the global stage in a single frame. It marked his first major national spotlight.

Cover for Destiny Man Magazine

Vogue Portugal

Showcases Makamo’s bold visual voice and his role as a leader in redefining contemporary African art. (Exact issue not retrieved but widely documented in art press.)

Featured Publications

Betway Premiership Trophy

Top SA Artist Nelson Makamo designs new Betway Premiership Trophy.
A documentary-style film on his first-ever commissioned sports trophy design.

France 24 Report: “L’art de l’optimisme”

A portrait of Makamo’s ambition to enchant the world through art.

Trevor Noah’s The Daily Show (2019)

Guest spot and segment that brought Makamo’s work into mainstream conversation.

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Phone: +27 72 505 0917
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