Ever seen the effect that one spark can have when fuelled just right to set it alight? Just imagine what 11 sparks scattered across South Africa could do.
Now that we’ve travelled Through the Prism and landed smack bang back into the default world, I’m sure that you (like me) may be struggling a bit to re-assimilate. Maybe you’re seeing the world with a new perspective, and this means that you’re full of ideas about how to bring the Burn spirit and energy into your neighbourhoods and communities…
That’s where Spark Grants come in – they exist to help you do just that. They’re AfrikaBurn’s way of fuelling small ideas to ignite change in the default world and anyone who went Through the Prism can apply for one to support their project (anywhere in RSA).
There are 11 grants – one for each of the Principles – and applications open on 1 June for 2026’s cycle. Here’s some inspiration from 2025’s Grant recipients (and click [here] and [here] for years gone by.
Art Crusade
Aaron Sepeng, Hammanskraal, North West
Communal Effort
With support from his team and a Spark Grant, Aaron Sepeng developed a mural concept depicting community members building a wall shaped like the South African flag to symbolise unity and nation-building. Following a community engagement session, the artwork was expanded to represent the broader community rather than a single family.
Over three months, the project combined planning, online engagement, stakeholder discussions, mural creation, and art workshops, with support from 139 community members, 4 local artists, 16 volunteer youth artists, 35 residents, and AfrikaBurn. Participants learned artistic techniques using acrylic paint, charcoal, and watercolour while also deepening their understanding of local history and cultural identity.
Despite challenges such as water shortages and climate-related issues, the project strengthened intergenerational connections, fostered community pride, and transformed the mural into a lasting cultural symbol that reminds residents of the importance of unity, heritage, and collective resilience.
“Play Our Way” Indigenous Games
Andisiwe Meje, Khayelitsha, Cape Town
Participation
Using their Spark Grant, Andisiwe Meje and her team organised the “Play Our Way” event on 9 October 2025, creating a vibrant space where participants enjoyed traditional and recreational games such as skipping rope, upuca (stones), chess, and other board games. ”Play our way” hosted 50 adults and 260 students with the assistance of the Ward Councillor team, the Ziqhenye Foundation Centre team, and the Ulwazi Lwethu team.
The one-day event also featured empowerment sessions with motivational speakers, singers and DJs, which offered both inspiration and entertainment for young people preparing for exams.
By celebrating indigenous cultural games and encouraging physical activity, the project promoted cultural preservation, intercultural appreciation, and community empowerment while strengthening participants’ sense of pride and belonging. The games also helped children and youth reconnect with their history, creativity, and teamwork, providing students with a meaningful opportunity to relax, connect, and recharge before their tests.
Waste2Art
Lorraine Hendricks, Ocean View, Cape Town
Radical Self-Expression
With the support of her community, Lorraine used her Spark Grant to launch the Waste2Art project in Ocean View through weekly workshops held from November to December. Bringing together local youth and young mothers, the workshops created a safe and inspiring space focused on creativity, teamwork, and environmental awareness, hosted in Lorraine’s yard during warmer days and inside her home during colder weather.
Participants collaborated to create two giant puppets and 12 parade costumes using recycled materials such as plastic bottles, colourful lids, and plastic bags, while Lorraine supplied all the necessary crafting materials. Involving 6 youngsters, 4 mothers, and 2 facilitators, the project helped participants develop artistic and practical skills, learn about recycling and sustainability, and strengthen community bonds through collaborative art-making.
The MANIFESTO
Lunga Hafane, Kwantu Village, Newcastle, KZN
Gifting
Lunga Hafane and his team used their Spark Grant to create a mural that was successfully created through a collaborative process that included wall preparation, conceptual development, sketching, and several days of painting. The project also featured a short hands-on workshop where participants were introduced to using bleach as a drawing medium on fabric. A total of 25 participants took part in the activities, including 15 youth and 10 adults. The completed mural serves as a lasting artwork that benefits a wide range of community members across generations, as it remains permanently displayed within the space.
Keep Dobsi Clean
Lehlohonolo Khoza, Dobsonville, Soweto
Leave No Trace
Keep Dobsi Clean is a collaborative community initiative grounded in the principle of Leave No Trace. The project focused on transforming an illegal dumping site that had long contributed to unsafe and unhealthy conditions in the area. With support from Pikitup, Lehlonolo and her team received trucks, plastics, and beautification materials, including gum poles, barbed wire, paint, wood for signage frames, and ready-mix cement.
Following the clean-up, the team erected a gum-pole fence and installed two donated “No Dumping” banners facing both the Dobsonville and Zola communities. The space was further brightened with painted poles, colourful wooden frames, and festive confetti decorations, turning a neglected site into a visible point of community care and pride.
“The most notable change was the transformation of a health-threatening dumpsite into a clean, safe, and usable space for the school and the surrounding community. What was once a source of pollution, unpleasant odours, and ongoing danger to children and residents is now a place that fosters dignity, safety, and community pride.”
The Keep Dobsi Clean project has not only improved everyday living conditions, but also shifted perspectives within the community — demonstrating how collective action can reclaim neglected spaces and restore them for positive use.
Care for the Carers (Vessel)
Mandy Johnston, Port Nolloth, Northern Cape
Participation
Mandy Johnston used her Spark Grant to create a sculpture using origami. Mandy and her team conducted a workshop on folding origami and offered a presentation on intention setting and community building. All NGO leaders in Port Nolloth were invited and the workshop received positive feedback that allowed “Care for the Carers” to bring a community together with the intention of creating a natural support group for careers. The workshop was a fun and gentle space for participants to talk spontaneously about their projects and experiences.
MBEWU MPANDE
Nkalipho Mafela, Bapsfontein, Mpumalanga
Radical Self-Reliance
Mbewu Mpande, led by Nkalipho Mafela, used its Spark Grant to support a series of project activities that took place throughout 2025, with increased participation during the November/December school holidays through to February 2026. The initiative focused on reviving and strengthening local food production systems through practical, community-based learning. Key improvements included restoring the greenhouse structure, repairing the borehole to secure reliable water access, and reorganising outdoor planting areas to improve crop management and productivity.
The project also hosted hands-on gardening sessions where both children and adults learned how to prepare soil, plant seeds, water effectively, and maintain vegetable gardens. Participants were introduced to sustainable food-growing methods and basic agro-processing knowledge, with workshops and seed education supported through a partnership with Living Seeds.
Beyond the physical infrastructure improvements, the project’s greatest impact was the active involvement of children in planting, learning, and understanding where food comes from. Mbewu Mpande transformed the space into a living classroom — nurturing practical skills, environmental awareness, and a growing sense of community self-sufficiency.
The Merchants of Sound
Matlali Matabane, Kalkfontein, Pretoria
Radical Self-Expression
Matlali Matabane used her Spark Grant to create The Merchants of Sound. The project focused on empowering community members through a music program in Kalkfontein. The Merchants of Sound included 6 musicians who were given instruments to facilitate music training workshops with school children in the community. Two days were spent in Kalkfontein, February 7th 2026, to introduce the project to the community, and February 21st 2026, involving a core team discussion and instrument handover. Some of the instruments used were Mbira, guitars, keyboards, Kalimbas, and a recorder with a microphone.
The benefit of the project was empowering Kalkfontein community’s musically talented individuals to act as the catalysts for what will hopefully grow into an annual music program. Poverty and underdevelopment are problems in the area, which the project challenges by providing easy access to musical instruments and offering a holistic pathway for child development.
The 7AM Club
Siphokazi Mondi, Dunoon, Western Cape
Communal Effort
Siphokazi Mondi used their Spark Grant to create The 7AM Club, a project with the goal of serving breakfast once a week to local scholars . The 7AM Club provided breakfast with the intention of introducing the scholars to breakfast pairings that they were unaware of or had never tried. “Some of the scholars had never even eaten some of the dishes they were offered, but it was worthwhile to witness their small, happy smiles”- Siphokazi
The team were grateful to Sebenzile for providing gloves for hygiene and to the local elementary schools such as Sophakama Primary for hosting The 7AM Club at their school. Because of this experience, children now look forward to Monday mornings at school, which benefits the scholars, their parents and teachers.
Just Love with Philippi township
Noemi Victoria Herzig, Philippi, Western Cape
Each One Teach One
Noemi Victoria Herzig used her Spark Grant to create a community mural painting programme for local children. The participants learned colour mixing, brush strokes and character creation. Each participant drew their own silhouette, painted it and added their names as well as their message. The process encouraged peer learning and strong community interaction. Through the development of creative talents, boosted self-esteem, positive youth participation, improved community ties, and a joyous shared public event, the project produced instant benefits. Tony Yengeni Park now has a vibrant, long-lasting mural that was made by the locals. The artwork acts as a constant source of inspiration for young people and promotes pride and a sense of ownership over the public area.
Words: Kelly Franciscus & Cara Morris
