NETWORKS.
BMW YOUNG COLLECTORS CO.
BMW South Africa, in partnership with FNB Art Joburg, created the BMW Young Collectors’ Co. to ignite a new wave of art collectors shaping the cultural future of South Africa.
This invitation-only network brings together dynamic entrepreneurs, innovators, and leaders under the age of 40, giving them insider access to the country’s most influential artists, galleries, and cultural institutions.
Through intimate studio visits, private collection tours, exclusive previews, and curated talks with industry experts, members gain the insight and confidence to navigate the art world. The Young Collectors’ Co. breaks down barriers to entry, diversifies the collector base and ensures the next generation is equipped to invest in and protect South Africa’s cultural heritage.
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BMW COLLECTORS CO.
Building on the Young Collectors’ Co. platform, BMW has introduced the BMW Collectors Co., aimed at established patrons aged 40–50 who have the vision to enhance their engagement with contemporary art. This premium network provides exclusive access to artists, rare artworks and curated cultural experiences that transcend the ordinary. Members are encouraged to refine their collections, expand their networks, and make meaningful contributions to the cultural landscape, thereby strengthening the connection between established collectors and the next generation of art enthusiasts.
EVENTS.
BMW ART GENERATION.
The momentum of both collector programs culminates in BMW Art Generation, a public-facing cultural platform that unites artists, collectors, curators, and thought leaders from Africa and the diaspora. This annual event blends dialogue, live performances, workshops, and immersive lifestyle experiences to celebrate African creativity on a global stage.
By positioning African voices at the centre of contemporary culture, BMW Art Generation extends the initiatives of the BMW Young Collectors’ Co. and BMW Collectors Co. into a shared cultural movement that fosters creativity, builds legacy, and inspires future generations.
Volume 3 of BMW Art Generation was an unforgettable event. To stay updated on future events, follow @bmwartgeneration on Instagram.
ESTHER MAHLANGU, A RETROSPECTIVE.
In 1991, Esther Mahlangu made history as the first woman and the first African artist to be commissioned by BMW for its prestigious Art Car collection. She transformed a BMW 525i into a moving canvas using her iconic Ndebele patterns—vivid, geometric designs traditionally painted on homes by women in her community. This bold collaboration brought South African heritage to a global stage, merging tradition with technology in a way that had never been seen before.
More than three decades on, the partnership between Mahlangu and BMW remains a powerful symbol of cultural respect and artistic innovation. It marked a turning point in how African art is perceived in the world of design and luxury, opening doors for greater appreciation and inclusion of indigenous knowledge systems. Esther Mahlangu’s Art Car not only accelerated global interest in Ndebele art but also solidified her place as a living icon—celebrated worldwide for preserving and transforming tradition through contemporary expression.
The exhibition, ‘Then I Knew I Was Good at Painting: Esther Mahlangu, A Retrospective’, curated by Nontobeko Ntombela, launched at the Iziko South African National Gallery in 2024 and is currently touring respected local and international museums around the globe.
INITIATIVES.
AFRICAN FILM AND MEDIA ARTS COLLECTIVE.
For the 20th edition of the legendary BMW Art Car series, world-renowned abstract painter Julie Mehretu redefined what the project could be—not just a moving artwork, but a catalyst for cultural dialogue across the African continent. Born in Ethiopia and based in the U.S., Mehretu’s design for the BMW M Hybrid V8 was first revealed at the Centre Pompidou in Paris in May 2024, followed by a historic race appearance at Le Mans. Yet, the project didn’t stop with the car. Instead, it evolved into something far more ambitious: the launch of the African Film and Media Arts Collective (AFMAC).
Developed by Mehretu alongside Emmy-nominated producer Mehret Mandefro, AFMAC is a pan-African initiative dedicated to empowering emerging voices in film and media arts. Supported by BMW Group, the project will host workshops in cities including Lagos, Nairobi, Dakar, Tangier, and Cape Town, bringing together around 50 artists from across Africa and the diaspora. Each workshop will result in a new short film, ultimately forming an anthology of contemporary African cinema that will debut in 2026 alongside Julie Mehretu’s Art Car in a major exhibition at Zeitz MOCAA in Cape Town.
This partnership is a landmark moment—not only in BMW’s 50-year legacy of Art Car collaborations, but in its evolving role as a cultural catalyst. AFMAC connects history, identity, and experimentation through film, creating lasting infrastructure for creative exchange on the continent. As Julie Mehretu explains, the goal was to make the Art Car a “vocal archive for the immense artistic creativity of the African continent.” With AFMAC, that vision is becoming a reality.
SOUTHERN GUILD X BMW SA.
The partnership between Southern Guild and BMW South Africa brings together two leading forces in their respective fields—one in collectible design, the other in luxury automotive innovation. United by a shared commitment to excellence, creativity, and bold thinking, this collaboration celebrates the intersection of contemporary design and engineering mastery.
With Southern Guild’s global reputation for championing exceptional African designers and BMW’s decades-long legacy of supporting art, design, and cultural advancement, the partnership reflects a mutual dedication to craftsmanship and forward-thinking vision. Together, they embody the spirit of innovation and the power of design to inspire, challenge, and shape the world around us.
THE BMW CENTRE FOR ART EDUCATION.
The BMW Centre for Art Education (CFAE) at Zeitz MOCAA was officially launched in September 2024, following a three-year partnership agreement between BMW Group South Africa and the museum. Located on Level 1, the CFAE comprises two multifunctional classrooms equipped for studio-based learning, along with support facilities dedicated to art-making and workshops.
The BMW CFAE amplifies Zeitz MOCAA’s foundational mission to make contemporary African art accessible to all through education, dialogue and participation. Since its inception, the museum has aimed to “enrich, inspire, and bring art and culture to children and adults,” and the BMW CFAE represents a concrete expression of that commitment.
BMW’s investment in art education is rooted in the belief that cultural engagement and innovation are driven by knowledge sharing and empowerment.
As Peter van Binsbergen, CEO of BMW Group South Africa, states: “Arts and culture are essential to the BMW Group. Artistic and cultural activities present unique and inspiring ways to unlock the creative capabilities of a nation, allowing constant reinvention and innovation.”
By supporting the BMW CFAE, BMW is nurturing creative potential across generations, ensuring that art becomes a tool for innovation and societal change, not just admiration.