#6 “Our Xhosa Culture” – Original Artwork by Carolina Pastoriza

This breathtaking piece, titled “Our Xhosa Culture,” was created exclusively for Addo Football Youth Academy by the gifted Argentinian artist Carolina Pastoriza Hausmann. It is a vibrant tribute to the heart of the Eastern Cape—its indigenous plant life and the rich cultural heritage of the Xhosa people.

At the center of the composition stands a striking depiction of a traditional Xhosa man, surrounded by the beautiful flora native to the Addo region and beyond. The piece is more than art—it is a reflection of identity, heritage, and place. For us at AFYA, it symbolizes everything we stand for: preserving our culture, honoring our roots, and protecting the natural environment that nurtures our community.

Carolina’s work is deeply influenced by her upbringing on a rural farm in Tierra del Fuego, Argentina, where her connection with nature began. Through decades of study across South America and the United States, she has developed a multidisciplinary approach that combines oil painting, engraving, sculpture, and digital illustration—always grounded in a deep reverence for the natural world.

Her exhibitions span Ecuador, Buenos Aires, and Washington DC, with her art consistently exploring the interdependence of nature and humanity. Carolina views nature as a living organism and urges us, through her work, to recognize our place within it and our responsibility toward its care.

This piece is a powerful expression of unity between culture and conservation—two values that define the spirit of AFYA.