Vibrant mural unveiled at The Service Dining Rooms in District Six
Mogamat Natheer Hoosain, best known as Gogga Dedevastator, in front of his latest mural, at The Service Dining Rooms, 82 Canterbury Street in District Six, where the city's most vulnerable get a meal for R2.
Image: Supplied
A striking new mural now adorns the garage door of The Service Dining Rooms (SDR) at 82 Canterbury Street in District Six, celebrating the organisation’s 90th anniversary.
The SDR, which has been serving weekday meals to those in need since 1935, commissioned local artist Gogga Dedevastator—regarded as South Africa’s first graffiti artist—to create the artwork as part of their 90th anniversary month in July.
The mural was created using aerosol spray paint. In the foreground, the sea is alive with fish - a tribute to the longstanding partnership between The Service Dining Rooms and I&J Fishing. In the background, the iconic Table Mountain rises beneath an orange sky and overhead a bold seagull soars suggesting freedom, movement, and new horizons.
Image: Supplied
The mural, which faces the street, was described by acting operations manager and board member Janey Ball as a “powerful visual anchor” for the organisation’s premises.
“This mural is a tribute to the community we serve and to the long-standing partnerships that sustain our mission,” said Ms Ball.
The artwork, she added, represents “a bold festival of colour, community, and connection” in line with the SDR’s nine decades of service and its location within District Six’s street art tradition.
Originally, meals at the SDR cost a 'tickey'—three old pence. Today, the cost is R2.
Artist Mogamat Natheer Hoosain, also known as Gogga, is based in Muizenberg and began his journey in Cape Town’s early hip hop and graffiti scene in 1984.
“I got the name ‘Gogga’ in Standard 6 (Grade 8) and, as I became better known in the creative community, the name stuck,” he said.
He has since developed into a respected muralist and designer, known for cross-disciplinary collaborations. “I’m happiest when creating art,” he said.
Mogamat Natheer Hoosain, best known as Gogga Dedevastator, in front of his latest mural, at The Service Dining Rooms, 82 Canterbury Street in Cape Town, where the city's most vulnerable get a meal for R2.
Image: Supplied
Although commissioned to complete the piece, Gogga said the experience also allowed him to meet patrons and learn more about the work done at the SDR.
He said the mural was created in celebration of the organisation’s milestone anniversary and incorporates its mission and partners in a colourful, visually engaging design.
“What would have taken me a day took three days with the rainy days, in true Cape Town form,” he added.
Members of the public are welcome to view the mural. For further information about The Service Dining Rooms, anniversary events, or to support the organisation, contact Ms Ball on 021 465 2390 or email info@sdr.org.za