The Opening of Sondela Nontombi - Because I Have Seen Your Future, And I Think You Should See It Too

Buqaqawuli Nobakada is teaching the world how to see us while simultaneously affirming the way she sees herself and the women around her. With intention and love, Sondela Nontombi extends an open hand to those ready to witness the beauty that lies ahead.Through her series, Nobakada offers a vision of possibility—one that reclaims space for Black women to exist in boundless creativity, sovereignty, and luxury. The figures of her friends and sisters become representatives of contemporary femininity, embodying a future that is both radiant and transformative.

Image taken by Dillion Marsh

This offering is more than just an invitation to glimpse a beautiful future—it is a call to embrace it. By working with lace, Nobakada employs a material that is both delicate and resilient, a metaphor for femininity that echoes the stories of the unnamed women who came before her. The intricate and fragile nature of lace reinforces Black femininity as high art, envisioning a utopia where identity and self-presentation are acts of joy and liberation.She reimagines the relationship between Black women and luxury, crafting intimate moments of self-love, experimentation, and abundance. In doing so, she challenges societal narratives, celebrating self-adorning practices as both personal liberation and cultural performance.

I'm Thinking of Hiring a Butler, Image taken by Dillion Marsh.

Through this offering, Nobakada honors the beauty, complexity, and resilience of Black women. She invites viewers into an Afro-futuristic dreamscape where Black hyper-femininity exists in its fullest glory—because she has seen the future, and she believes you should see it too. Sondela Nontombi.

A heartfelt thank you from the Under The Aegis team to everyone who attended the opening of Sondela Nontombi – Because I Have Seen Your Future, And I Think You Should See It Too by Buqaqawuli Nobakada. Your presence, energy, and engagement made the afternoon truly special. The connections formed, the conversations sparked, and the collective appreciation for Nobakada’s work underscored the importance of spaces where Black femininity is celebrated, uplifted, and centered. For those who haven’t had a chance to experience the exhibition yet—or for those who wish to return and immerse themselves once more—the show runs until 11 April. We warmly invite you to step into this vision, to witness the power of Nobakada’s artistry, and to engage with a body of work that speaks to joy, resilience, and an unapologetic reimagining of Black womanhood.

Come, see the future.

Image taken by Dillion Marsh

A special thanks to Don Julio SA and Diageo, who graciously sponsored the drinks during the opening of Under the Aegis and Sondela Nontombi- Because I Have Seen Your Future, And I Think You Should See It Too by Buqaqawuli Nobakada.