WILLOWMORE – It is often said that a picture is worth a thousand words, and this certainly holds true for one of the walls of Zaayman’s Garage in Willowmore, where the third generation of the Zaayman family, Ian and Jane, have chosen to honour Ian’s father, Fanie Zaayman, in a very special way.
Fanie, who managed the garage faithfully with his family from 1962 to 2016, was well known in Willowmore not only for his dedication to the business but also for his love of cars.
To celebrate his memory, a mural has been created depicting him standing proudly next to his treasured 1960 Chev Impala.
It is a scene that speaks of history, passion, and the strong family roots that continue to run deep in this small Karoo town.
The mural was painted by artist Fourie Ackerman from Friemersheim, who has been responsible for transforming many blank walls into striking works of art.
It forms part of a project initiated by Revive Willowmore, a local non-profit organisation founded by El-Anne Smith and Veronica du Plessis in 2023 to drive local transformation.
According to Revive Willowmore chairperson, Veronica du Plessis, the project was inspired by a visit to Friemersheim, where they saw the incredible murals on the buildings there.
“We knew we had to do something similar in Willowmore,” says Du Plessis.
“We approached artist Fourie Ackerman, whose work in Friemersheim left a deep impression, and the rest is history.”
Since the initiation of the project, Ackerman has brought to life the stories of Willowmore on many walls, one brush stroke at a time.
Once again, he has worked his magic and preserved a piece of Willowmore’s heritage on the wall of Zaayman’s Garage.
“His murals are not just paintings; they are living reminders of the people, moments, and memories that have shaped our community,” says Du Plessis.
“So next time you visit Willowmore, take the time to slow down and look around.
Wander through the streets, pause at the walls, and enjoy the growing gallery of murals that are adding colour, character, and heart to our town.”
READ MORE: Revive Willowmore transforms town eyesore into breathtaking Karoo mural
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