We met up with Mfundo Rassik also known as Ekse in graffiti circles on the fifth and very cold day of the City of Gold Urban Art Festival that took place all over Johanneburg. Together with Myza, another graffiti artist, they were allocated a wall to tag in Troyeville as part of an awareness on street art.

What made you come to Troyeville just to paint a wall? It’s not just a wall and it’s not just painting but its art and no weather conditions except if it’s raining can keep me away from doing this. I love graffiti.

What inspired you to do graffiti? Growing up I listened to a lot of hip hop. Being a part of the hip hop culture somehow influenced me to fall in love with graffiti. I then decided to pursue it as a career.

Why is that most graffiti artists don’t like it being labelled as street art? That’s not entirely true. It doesn’t matter what you call it just as long as we as graffiti artists follow our passion and are united in creating beautiful art. We are however concerned with the messages conveyed through our graffiti. We hope that the messages are positive.

Any words of wisdom to aspiring graffiti artists? Qhakazisa ikasi lakho (make your township bright) is all I will say.

Check out Ekse’s work which has been on display since the 20th March at Nex Door Restaurant on Vilakazi Street in Orlando West.  The last day of this exhibition will be the 20th of April. For more info, you can  email him on Mr.ekse@gmail.com

City of Gold Urban Art Festival is an annual five day event that profiles local and international graffiti artists tagging the walls of Johannesburg in order to establish a destination for graffiti in South Africa. It took place from the 9th to the 13th of April