Painted Pictures brings to the stage the real life stories of ex-convicts, drug dealers and car hijackers, and the disabled. It is a depiction of the youth of today, but brings a message of hope to the audience. It is the brainchild of the Ziveze music project, which was initiated to raise funds for a developmental programme that helps the youth. From this, the musical was born – out of the life stories of the artist who perform it.

These future stars will make their National Arts Festival appearance as part of the ArtReach programme, performing at community institutions such as hospitals, prisons, clinics, old-age homes and shelters in Grahamstown.

“This is a brilliant opportunity for us, to showcase our talent and to take a part in South Africa in helping the helpless and be part of festival at the same time cause it will be an amazing experience for newly up coming artist who'll take the music industry by storm,” says Painted Pictures' director, Sandile Matsheni.

“We are looking forward to taking on in the Hands On! Masks off! Programme's workshops, debates and talks, and attending other shows. We are so excited about this. It is going to be good exposure for the project and build a profile for the organisation and uplifting the Artist of the project ZMP (ziveze music project),” said Matsheni.

En route to Grahamstown, the troupe made its way to KwaZulu-Natal to perform at Ncome Prison in Vryheid.

Painted Pictures is directed by Sandile Matsheni, written by Tebogo, AKA Dey, Gasetlole and arranged by Wandile Budeli.