Queen Mother Yaa Asantewaa

Chantal Coetzee is an artist, speaker and radio presenter, based in Cape Town. She obtained her degree in Fine Art from the University of the Witwatersrand, Johannesburg, in 1987. Since graduating, she has explored the realm of installation art in Amsterdam, street art in London, running various galleries in Cape Town, and participated in numerous exhibitions both locally and abroad. Working collaboratively with fellow artist and curator, Sharon Peers, she co-founded The Seeff Trust ArtGallery (1993-1996) and later 3RD i GALLERY (1997-2010), both in Cape Town. Coetzee’s current series of works is her on-going passion project. Painted on gold-leafed board, canvas or plywood, her large paintings are portraits of African Queens that she has meticulously researched. She celebrates their greatness and pointedly speaks to the notion of historical bias and how women’s lives and achievements have been side-lined in favour of male-centric perspectives. Expecting to discover a handful of female rulers from our continent’s past, she has been astounded to discover more than 30 (and counting) powerful women who reigned, led their armies into battle, expanded territories, fought slave traders and repelled would-be colonialists. These women are empowering role models to us all, and their stories encourage us to re-examine ourselves, our history, and our place in the world. Concurrently with the research and creation of the paintings, she is determined to share the inspiring life stories of African Queens with the public. In galleries, societies, corporate events, podcast interviews, schools and on radio, she is an enthusiastic speaker, sharing her research regarding these powerful women. Notably, she was interviewed by Prof. Thuli Madonsela on her podcast Women Ready to Lead 2030 (Nov 2022), and interviewed by Rodney Trudgeon on People of Note, Fine Music Radio March 2024. Coetzee’s African Queen artwork was exhibited in Cotonou, The Republic of Benin, in May 2023, alongside work by South African Nandipha Mntambo and Ishola Akpo of Benin. All three artists deal with women-centred issues, from different perspectives. Titled “Les femmes célèbrant la liberté dans la démocratie”, (Women Celebrating Liberty in Democracy) the expo formed part of the country’s Freedom Month

celebrations. Coetzee’s artwork is also permanently represented in the South African Embassy in The Republic of Benin. In February 2024, Coetzee was offered an artist’s residency in The Republic of Benin. During this visit, Coetzee was part of a small South African delegation that visited the current queen of The Republic of Benin, Queen Hangbé V. Coetzee gifted Queen Hangbé V a reproduction of her portrait of the Dahomey Queen Tassi Hangbé, who was the founder of the infamous all-female army, the Agodjie, of whom the current queen is a direct descendant. Radio is another of Coetzee’s passions. She hosts Saturday Breakfast on Fine Music Radio. She has made this popular show her own by focusing on music by women composers, conductors and musicians, and sharing interesting facts about their lives and achievements. As a multi-disciplinary artist, Coetzee has utilised various platforms to inspire women in the creative industry and beyond. Through her speaking engagements, she strives to uplift young girls and women to become empowered and courageous, stepping into the footsteps of the Queens that have paved the way for us to follow. Her warmth and charisma allow her to make meaningful connections with those in her for us to follow. Her warmth and charisma allow her to make meaningful connections with those in her ambit, and as a God-loving human, she brings a spirit of compassion and joy to those relationships. Above all, she is a stand for kindness, collaboration and humanity in this world.