Who is Lewis Levin?

By Gillian Anstey

Lewis Levin is an architect and sculptor working in Johannesburg and Cape Town.

His building projects include domestic and sacred architecture as well as urban renewal work in the Johannesburg inner city. He has recently been involved with the design of the Science Museum exhibit.

Speaking of his creation of the monument commemorating Duma Nokwe, he said: "It's especially exciting to be able to use art as a vehicle for recovering memory - that's the way it should be."

Levin also specialises in steel work and explores the integration of building facades and sculpture. This signature approach can be seen in his specialised steel fabrications, which have both sculptural and architectural elements. His steel façades filter light, mimicking the dappled light of nature, and translate the external environment from outside to inside. Examples of these are the interlinking screens of the Metro Mall taxi rank complex, and the west façade of the Constitutional Court - both flagship buildings in Johannesburg.

 

 

 

back to the Duma Nokwe memorial page

"We have fought for years to get one of ours into the Bar. Are we now going to lose that over a cup of tea?"
Walter Sisulu on Duma Nokwe
Duma Nokwe, left, and Robert Resha
Picture: © Bailey’s African History Archive

IN THE CLASSROOM

Minutes of meetings as historical sources

This lesson plan demonstrates to learners why minutes of meetings are good sources of historical evidence. Learners can also learn the valuable skill of taking minutes.

Lesson plan
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Archive Photo Gallery
A selection of images of Nokwe’s life before he fled South Africa to escape the threat posed by the apartheid authorities.
Artwork Photo Gallery
Nokwe’s widow, Tiny, and George Bizos reunite at the memorial outside the Johannesburg High Court.
Panorama
Take an illuminating 360° degree tour of the Nokwe memorial outside the Johannesburg High Court on Pritchard Street.
Audio Slideshow