Environmental activist Rui Silva is transforming degraded walls in Maputo into urban art. The initiative promotes environmental education by encouraging behavioural change, biodiversity protection, and ecosystem preservation.
Maputo is witnessing a transformation of urban spaces where degraded walls are taking on a new role: to educate, raise awareness, and encourage reflection. Through urban art, environmentalist Rui Silva has been turning forgotten walls into tools for environmental and social awareness.
“The goal is to use art as an instrument for changing mindsets,” in a country where environmental problems continue to demand urgent responses. This approach is particularly relevant in an urban context such as Maputo, where public space serves as a key meeting point in daily life. Murals become part of the everyday landscape.
Rui Silva’s work dates back to 2018, starting with a mural dedicated to the oceans. Since then, the initiative has expanded across different neighbourhoods and provinces. Over time, new themes and approaches have been incorporated. The continuity of the project has also helped strengthen partnerships and improve methods, making the interventions increasingly structured and relevant.
According to the environmentalist, repetition and consistency of messages are essential to drive change. “I believe this work has helped, even if gradually, to change how people think and act,” he says. The murals act as permanent reminders of individual and collective actions because “environmental transformation does not depend only on public policies.”
Climate change and human behaviour at the centre of the message
Among the most recent works is a mural at the National Institute of Meteorology (INAM), focused on climate change. The visual composition is divided into two contrasting worlds: one darker, illustrating the negative consequences of climate change; the other, vibrant and colourful, presenting solutions and good environmental practices. This duality creates an immediate visual impact, prompting viewers to reflect on collective and individual choices that shape the planet’s future. Topics such as renewable energy, recycling, and waste management are presented in a clear and engaging way.
Main environmental challenge: changing behaviour
For Rui Silva, the main environmental challenge in Mozambique lies precisely in changing behaviour. “We are all polluters, and we all have responsibility in transforming this reality,” he argues, stressing the need for stronger collective awareness.
Another key aspect of the project focuses on biodiversity conservation, with special attention to marine and terrestrial wildlife. Several murals depict iconic Mozambican species, including so-called “marine giants” such as whales, dolphins, whale sharks, and sea turtles. These representations are not merely decorative; they serve as warnings about the threats these species face, particularly due to ocean pollution. Plastic, in particular, is identified as one of the main dangers, as it is often ingested by marine animals that mistake it for food.
Rui Silva highlights the need to make these consequences more visible. In his view, situations such as whale strandings could be used to raise awareness, clearly showing the impact of waste on animals.
Cultural identity and the value of Mozambican women
Beyond environmental issues, the murals also explore cultural and social dimensions of daily life. One example is the work located on Julius Nyerere Avenue, which pays tribute to Mozambican women. Titled “Our Mother Nature and the Nature of Our Mother”, the mural creates a symbolic link between women and the environment. The women depicted are wrapped in capulana fabrics whose patterns evoke natural elements, reinforcing the idea of interdependence between humans and nature. Each figure embodies values such as work, family, faith, joy, and empowerment, reflecting the diversity and strength of women in the Mozambican context.
“This cultural dimension broadens the scope of the initiative, showing that urban art can be a space where different themes converge without losing coherence,” the environmentalist explains.
Community impact and social transformation
Community response has been positive, with benefits extending beyond aesthetics. One of the most significant cases occurred in the airport area, where the Biodiversity Mural helped transform the neighbourhood environment: surrounding homes were renovated, including plastering and painting, improving residents’ well-being.
According to Rui Silva, this transformation had a direct impact on people’s self-esteem. “Today, the spaces are clean, well cared for, and people take pride in where they live,” he says. Community involvement has been essential to the success of the initiative, creating a sense of belonging and shared responsibility. The environmentalist believes such interventions “can, in the medium term, contribute to reducing social problems, including crime, by promoting more organised and valued environments.”
A call for behavioural change
At the centre of all these initiatives is a clear message: the urgent need to change behaviour. Rui Silva argues that “environmental transformation does not depend only on public policies or large projects, but also on individual and collective actions in everyday life.” In this sense, the murals serve as permanent reminders of that responsibility.
By integrating art into public space, the project creates continuous opportunities for reflection, encouraging citizens to rethink their habits. “I simply ask people to look at the murals and let them help change our behaviour, especially regarding improper waste disposal,” the environmentalist concludes.
In a context where environmental problems are intensifying, Maputo finds in its own walls a creative and effective way to educate for the future.
Text Nário Sixpene
