Uplands is incredibly proud of Weliswa Mdluli in Grade 12 for her outstanding achievement in the 2026 Rust-en-Vrede Gallery Junior Portrait Award Competition.
This year marked the third iteration of the prestigious competition, and for the second time it has been open to entrants aged 16–18 from across South Africa. With entries doubling since the previous competition, the standard was exceptionally high. Out of 232 entries, a panel of adjudicators selected the top three winners and Artwire Merit Award recipients. We are thrilled to announce that Weliswa was awarded First Place for her remarkable coloured pencil drawing on brown paper, titled Make Me Pretty.
Her achievement is a testament to the power of creativity, dedication and perseverance. Through her art, Weliswa has demonstrated not only exceptional technical skill but also the courage to tell a meaningful story through her work. Congratulations, Weliswa, on this well-deserved recognition. You have made the entire Uplands community proud.
Her award-winning portrait will be on exhibition at the Rust-en-Vrede Gallery until 11 July 2026. We encourage our Uplands family and friends to join us in celebrating this incredible accomplishment.
