‘Dan’ Daniel Sefudi RAKGOATHE (1937 – 2004)
Trap Of Conscience
1971
linocut
edition 10/25
31 x 31 cm
Mystery Of Space
1975
linocut
edition 4/50
55 x 46 cm/h6>
BIOGRAPHY
Daniel Sefudi ‘Dan’ Rakgoathe was born in Randfontein, Transvaal (now Gauteng). He completed a two-year primary teachers training programme at Botshabelo Training Institute followed by a course at Ndaleni Art Teachers’ Training College in 1960.
He then taught at a primary school in Moroka, Soweto (1961); at the Normal College at Botshabelo Training Institute (1962); at a primary school in Pretoria (1963) and at a high school in Dennilton (1964 – 1967).
In 1967, he enrolled as a Fine Arts student at UNISA and moved to Rorke’s Drift Art and Craft Centre, where he was a first full-time student.
In 1969, Rakgoathe was appointed cultural officer in the Johannesburg City Council and took over Ezrom Legae’s position at the Jubilee Art Centre. After Jubilee closed down in the early 1970s, he continued teaching at Mofolo Art Centre until 1976 when he enrolled in the Fine Arts course at the University of Fort Hare. In 1978, he was awarded a BA(FA) Degree, followed by a BA (FA) (Hons) Degree the following year.
He then returned to his former post at the Mofolo Art Centre. In 1981, Rakgoathe was awarded a Fulbright scholarship and, in 1983, completed an MA Degree in African Studies at the University of California, Los Angeles.
Rakgoathe took up a post at the Bophuthatswana College of Education (1984 – 1986) before returning to live in Orlando, Soweto.
Rakgoathe was a mystic philosopher who made an important contribution to South African art in the face of personal loss and social hardship. The images through which he expressed his beliefs were inspired by African myth and legend, while the concepts that he articulated were more universal in nature. He gradually lost his sight and could no longer produce works.