About Madi Phala
Lived 1955 – 2007 (aged 52). Madi Phala was a South African visual artist and teacher.
Madi Phala (2 February 1955 – 2 March 2007) was a South African artist. His later works were predominantly painting and collage and dealt with the theme of the African herd boy.
Biography Phala was born 2 February 1955 in Kwa-Thema, Springs, South Africa.
Phala's work is represented in several private and corporate art collections, including the French Embassy; De Beers, London, as well as Minister Pallo Jordan and art historian Barbara Lindop. His sculpture SS Mendi Memorial, commemorating the sinking of troopship Mendi in 1917, was designated a national heritage site in 2016.
He was murdered outside his house at Langa, Cape Town on 2 March 2007 during a robbery.
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Important facts
People in Madi Phala's life
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Frequently asked questions
Who was Madi Phala?
South African artist (1955-2007)
When was Madi Phala born?
Madi Phala was born on 2 February 1955 in KwaThema.
When did Madi Phala die?
Madi Phala died on 2 March 2007 in Langa.
What was Madi Phala's occupation?
Madi Phala was a visual artist and teacher.
What nationality was Madi Phala?
Madi Phala was South African.
Sources & further reading
Cite this page
APA: Biography.guide. (2026). Madi Phala. https://biography.guide/madi-phala/
MLA: "Madi Phala." Biography.guide, https://biography.guide/madi-phala/.
Chicago: "Madi Phala." Biography.guide. https://biography.guide/madi-phala/.
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