Dissent: Design, rainbows and reality (2021-2022) is a graphic design project that disrupts social constructions in South Africa stemming from the idea of the rainbow nation. The result of this practical project is a body of work that shows how qualities and principles of critical graphic design can be used to mount a critique on the rainbow nation myth. The study contributes to an expanded and critical role for South African graphic design that enables critical consideration of how practice can be used to engage with and respond to socio-political and cultural phenomena. Furthermore, the critical practice explored in this study contributes towards a critical-minded South African audience when engaging with cultural media such as graphic design.

Saint or Sinner (2021) is part of a series of posters that challenge specific rainbow nation themes forged in the psyche of South Africans at the start of democracy in 1994 that have become invalidated by everyday experiences of South Africans in our country.

Saint or Sinner (2021) reflects the dispute about Nelson Mandela’s mythic status as the nation’s saviour. In this poster, the concept of ‘saint or sinner’ is juxtaposed to show both sides of the debate.

Unity (2021) is part of a series of posters that challenge specific rainbow nation themes forged in the psyche of South Africans at the start of democracy in 1994 that have become invalidated by everyday experiences of South Africans in our country.

Unity (2021) questions the illusion of a united nation that rainbowism supports.

Colour-blind (2021) is part of a series of posters that challenge specific rainbow nation themes forged in the psyche of South Africans at the start of democracy in 1994 that have become invalidated by everyday experiences of South Africans in our country.

Colour-blind (2021) contests the belief that the new South Africa could magically erase a long history of divisive, institutional race relations in the country (Britten 2005: 89, Turner 2019:82). A present-day understanding of race dynamics is offered to counter the rainbow nation’s belief that race in South Africa is a “non-entity” (Gqola 2001:103).

The poster series, Dreams (2021-2022), consists of four sequential posters that mount a critique on the rainbow nation’s promise of dreams and opportunities post-apartheid (Gqola 2001:94). The four posters work in tandem to document the increase in unemployment in South Africa over the financial quarters of 2021 to 2022.

Spot the Kwerekwere (2022) is a motion graphic that addresses the issue of xenophobia in South Africa, specifically toward African migrants.