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Isiqhaza esizimele reimagines the traditional isiZulu ear ornament isiqhaza as a sculptural piece of intellectual resistance and physical autonomy. The term esizimele signifies both independence and self-support, representing a stance of self-reliance in thought and form. Unlike the iziqhaza worn on the earlobe, which depend on the body for support, this work stands independently, symbolising autonomy not only in a physical sense but as a rejection of missionary ideology and cultural imposition. Using spray paint on wood, the sculpture merges urban aesthetics with indigenous design, challenging the dominance of external belief systems while asserting the resilience of indigenous epistemologies.