Leading Stories From South Africa’s Legendary Pastel-Pink Landmark
Woven into the fabric of the City of Cape Town for the past 125 years, Mount Nelson, A Belmond Hotel, is celebrating its milestone anniversary with a series of cultural moments throughout the year.
With a colourful and storied history, The Nellie was painted pink in 1918, to honour peace at the close of the First World War and mark the start of a new era for the city and the hotel.
Located beneath the gaze of Table Mountain since 1899, Mount Nelson is more than a heritage landmark, it is a cosmopolitan haven. It is the joyful home to the city’s renaissance in the arts, culture and gastronomy – through local and international creative collaboration. Here’s what to expect in 2024.
Mitico, Belmond and Galleria Continua’s Third Art Series, Launches at Mount Nelson Featuring Daniel Buren
Marking the launch of Belmond and Galleria Continua’s third annual art series, internationally acclaimed contemporary artist Daniel Buren entices visitors to take a moment to contemplate his work – Colourful Halt for Mount Nelson, work in situ, 2023.
The new work surrounds the garden fountain, a historical landmark feature, present since before the hotel’s inception 125 years ago. Buren uses the fountain’s circular shape as his base, installing 3-metre-pillars which alternate between mirrors and stripes.
This succession of patterns playfully interacts with the surrounding nature, resulting in an explosion of light and movement when visitors wander through it. This bold commission reinforces the hotel’s role as the joyful home of Cape Town, kicking off its annual cultural programming. The artwork will be available to view by guests and visitors alike, from 16 February 2024 until 15 February 2025.
A New Collaboration Between Mount Nelson and the Norval Foundation, Curating Art and Sculpture Across the Hotel
Embark on an artistic visual journey with Norval Foundation’s year-long partnership at Mount Nelson. Curated by talented duo Heinrich Groenewald and Shona van der Merwe of Reservoir, the exhibition entitled “Mother City”, encompasses a collection of artworks from the Norval Foundation’s Homestead Collection, including twentieth-century South African artists, as well as contemporary artists from the African continent and its diaspora.
Key African art talent includes Athi-Patra Ruga, renowned for his dystopian exploration; acclaimed photographer exhibiting at Tate Modern in 2025, Zanele Muholi; as well as multimedia artist Dada Khanyisa.
