Visit : www.vetkat.co.za to view of his art or email Mary Lange, marylange@mweb.co.za for more information about Vetkat’s art.  marylange@mweb.co.za

Ou Regopstaans principles, methods & respect remain a legend on the Kalahari. With the demise of community-values within the current setting of the Kalahari; the increasing destruction of the environment; the demise of people through disease (T.B.), poverty & alcohol abuse, it is critical to re-establish a basis of respect & honour.

Vetkat & Belinda have been the driving force behind

The Vision :

No mainstream/regular format is followed, it is an independant, unique community led Foundation :

It will begin with cultural & not income-generating projects. The emphasis falls on self-expression, & to re-kindle the ancient-memories of the people in a humane-manner where each one can express themselves. Art includes music & story-telling. Informal activities will occur with the artist.

 It begins with an Art museum/gallery, ofwhich its purpose is :

• A safe/secure in the Kalahari for the Sacred collection artwork of Vetkat Reopstaan Kruiper & other Riverbed Children.

• A place where local people can view the Art.

• A place where past & present can be united to regain the ancient-rememberance.

The gallery/museum will be a living project. One of the central ideas is to create a space where people can gather around a Fire & enjoy one-anothers’ company. Underlying this activity, comes the experience of the informal yet intimate use of being around the fire where people can relax & relate with one-another in a space of tolerance & understanding.

Here people re-discover one-another without the abuse of alcohol & without violence.

Here people may exchange ideas, find themselves interested in the arts, music & story-telling – not just of the past but stories of local & international visitors who have have for quite some time now, visited Vetkat & Belinda to share in the values, methods & the art of the Kruipers.

The image of a naked Bushman that walks about in skins, receives another, less romantic viewpoint here : – the lessons & implications that the past have had on the present .......  The idea is to form a more practical, sensitive & actual image of the Bushman, than what is currently portrayed by many.

Eventhough the Foundation regards the needs of the community as priority, it will not operate under the basis of group-support, but highlight the importance of the individual. Underlying this is the motivation that each individual of the community who lives by honourable means, contribute towards the community by default.

Every individual that goes about their lives in an honourable way, makes the community stronger.

Eventhough there is appreciation for group-projects, many of these are unsuccessful, even the short-term. It is therefore important to have strong individuals with community-concerns in mind.

The intial-character of the Foundation is founded in the values & culture of the Bushman of the Kalahari. Vetkat’s art & the heritage of his father, is instrumental in this regard. Yet, it is the mission of the Foundation to brinf together the people of the Kalahari, & not to draw difference between people & races, but rather bring the entire community together.

The Foundation will also reachout to other individuals in other communities where individual support & development is required, especially with regard to Art. One such community are those at Ngwatle in the southern part of Botswana. This community is exceptionally independent & cosists of people from different cultural origins, yet manage to live & work together in mutual respect for one another.

Aims of the Project :

Developement of artists within the community : - will be offered the opportunity to work with Vetkat in a calm & content environment. 

Children : - will be given the opportunity to view, discuss & attend exhibitions.They will further be encouraged & supported to practice art and will use the sandunes as medium to draw & play upon to ensure that the cultural-traditions remain intact. (nowhere else in South Africa do Bushman children have the opportunity to exercise their art-heritage in the ways & styles of their forefathers. The Art & stories are strongly linked, & it’s important for Vetkat & Belinda that the children have the opportunity to once again gather in safety & harmony.

Outreach projects will focus on WOMEN. The projects will bring together members of different cultural backgrounds & involve them in community building that will not discriminate their differences (historically having forced them apart).

Existing projects include : Needlework for the local market, handwork, etc.

There will be a difference highlighted between artwork & craftwork to support the standard of the products.

View what we refer to as ART CRAFT - 

Outreach :

Visitors from around the word already visit the artist & his wife – and in this way are exposed to a blend of the past in a unique way, quite different than in other parts of the Kalahari. The mis-use of alcohol is not tolerated on their domain, & is therefore a safe place for visitors to reside at night.

Students from different countries already visit the area to receive keen insight into the sensitive challenges & rich resources people of the region offer.

   View the links below for further insight into this unique opportunity ......