If you drive past our Head Office on Peter Kerchhoff Street, you might notice something. A vibrant splash of colour that stretches across one of our outer walls – a striking mural that’s already turning heads and sparking conversations.
This is not just art. It’s a story.
In June 2024, Capital City Housing commissioned local graffiti artist Jono Hornby and the creative team from Jackal and Hide to create a mural that captures the heart of what we do. As a social housing institution rooted in Pietermaritzburg, we wanted our office to reflect the spirit of the city we call home — warm, welcoming, and full of possibility.
The mural is based on a portrait of Thobzinto Radebe, an organic farmer from Sweetwaters, and his young son. Their image became a canvas for something bigger: a message of home, hope and belonging.
When you stand before the mural, you’ll notice more than just striking patterns and vibrant colour. You’ll see a father looking towards his son, handing him a key – a symbol of every family’s dream for stability, dignity, and a place to call their own. For us, this isn’t just symbolic. It’s the very foundation of what Capital City Housing stands for: providing homes where dreams can flourish.
We also wanted to do something meaningful for the city itself. Pietermaritzburg is our home, and like any home, it deserves care and beauty. This mural is our way of adding to the cityscape — to brighten a corner of the CBD and remind people that home can be joyful, colourful, and full of hope.
But there’s more. If you scan the QR code hidden within the artwork, you’ll hear a narration, by Cuba Ikaneng, also known as “Makhubalo the Storyteller”. The narration talks about home – how we perceive it, how we experience it, and what it means to all of us – past, present and future. It reminds us of how dearly we all hold our homes in our hearts and our lives.
In these times, we know that finding a safe place to call home can sometimes be daunting. But we wanted this mural to remind everyone that social housing provides an accessible means to achieve this important necessity.
Too often, people imagine that to apply for rental housing at an SHI is a complicated and confusing process. We want this mural to send a different message: that finding a home can be simple, approachable, and welcoming. Just like the image on the wall, we unlock possibilities. We’re here to assist — not just with paperwork, but with the promise of a brighter future.
As you pass by, we invite you to stop, scan, and listen. This mural is more than paint on a wall. It’s a celebration of Pietermaritzburg, of home, and of the dreams that grow when families have a place to belong.
Press play to listen to the audio narration ➡️
Capital City Housing NPC is a social housing institution in Pietermaritzburg that provides affordable rental accommodation to residents the Msunduzi area. The NPC has 3 developments in Pietermaritzburg – Aloe Ridge, Acacia Park and Signal Hill.