we are imperfect learning each day together and alone how to respond to each other the land the universe.

we have personal journeys material, intangible inexplicably and essentially flawed interconnected and exulted open to beauty relations creative action and the intangible pleasure of sharing.

we hope to find our unique individual meaning for being in this place at this time at all.

we are enriched by being present accepting chance kindness and imagined possibilities.

mostly we learn that we do not know so we offer no truth or path but rejoice in what we are.

it is ok not to know.

A collaborative valley

Continuing NIROX’ initiatives in the valley more over the past 15 years, 58 is the next phase of transformation in the Valley. With the recent presence of the Columba Leadership Residency and the Signature Library at the local Matla School, the Valley attracts credible influencers and change-makers.

Columba Leadership academy

Founded in 2009, Columba Residency’s vision is to instill a sense of grit, purpose, determination and 21st century skills, into large numbers of young African leaders through their unique and dynamic peer-on-peer leadership model.

With a powerful track record of 7900 graduates from 189 schools, Columba is creating a deep impact - changing the lives of individuals, the culture of schools and the aspirations of communities, nationwide. With the completion of their new permanent residency in the Valley, alongside NIROX, its leaders intimately experience the arts and nature; unharnessing new ways of being and imagining their future.

NIROX Arts Centre

NIROX Arts Centre is a registered non-profit trust, established and run for the benefit of the arts. NIROX comprises of a sculpture park, artist residency, studios and workshops, outdoor concert venues and related function facilities.

The beauty and tranquility of the park are tributes to its sensitive design and fastidious upkeep, populated with indigenous game, moving freely in their natural habitat. The sculpture park attracts between 12,000 and 17,000 visitors annually, and has thus far had 700+ artist performances, 250+ artists in residence, 37 concerts and 33+ workshops and smaller events. The foundation works with international artists such as Yoko Ono and Marina Abramovic, as well as local talents.

“The reason we got here is that we want to heal our souls, we want to do good, we want to de-stress, we want to really find who we are in whatever discipline we are for the good of all humanity. That is what we thought was very inspirational about the project and the place where this whole things is happening, this is happening, because we exchange experiences that when you actually come here you don’t want to go back.”

- Khapametsi Maleke

An excerpt from a letter: “[The Kromdraai Valley] is diverse – culturally and economically. But there is an identity that makes it possible to think of the valley as a hub, a home, a place where we might come together to heal ourselves with harmony that is not self-righteous or dogmatised.”

- Benji Liebmann

 “My first memories of stepping foot in this area are from my childhood. Sunday drives with my family in the early 1970’s in my mother’s blue Valliant. At the time I didn’t have the words to express my experience, but the feelings were distinct. Today as I walk through #58, I still struggle to translate these same feelings into words. The closest I can get to is experiencing being supported by the depth of this ancient land, coupled with the fragility of the thin layer that covers this depth. Where my feet meet the earth, it is simultaneously unique and ordinary. This equally describes my conversations with others when I am on #58 – deep and fragile, unique and ordinary. It cuts through the typical veneer of benign chit chat.

- David Lipschitz

“Long walks seemed to free my mind of burdens gathered during the week and open it to inspiration. So too did drinking from the fountain, going down to the caves or swimming in the stream. Looking back… was it nature or how I related to myself through nature that gave me this sense of well-being?”

- Nicholas Liebmann

“58 removes artificial filters created by society and allows us to make genuine connections with people from varying walks of life on a pure and unbiased basis; without the noise of political propaganda, social status or materialistic ambition. But even more, we are able to connect with ourselves and learn about our inner spirit by engaging with mankind’s history, nature and with others in a location that hosts the origins of our species.”

- Maya Chidzero Burney