Mongezi Ncaphayi studied art at the Ekurhuleni East College, following on from which he undertook a printing professional development programme at the Artist Proof Studio (APS) in Johannesburg and then continued at the School of the Museum of Fine Arts, Tufts University, Boston. In 2013, he won the Gerard Sekoto award and an artist residency at the Cité des Arts in Paris. It was during this residency that Atelier le Grand Village editioned and printed the first series of Mongezi’s lithographs. His encounter with stone lithography at Atelier le Grand Village has had a profound impact on his subsequent works and in particular his paintings. The encounter with stone lithography encouraged his hand to be more spontaneous. The influence of colour also had an important impact.

In 2016, Ncaphayi presented his inaugural solo show, Spirit’s Response at the ABSA Art Gallery, Johannesburg. Other solo exhibitions include Journey to the One, SMAC, Johannesburg (2016) and Which Way is East?, SMAC, Cape Town (2017). Group exhibitions include African Amicitiae, Thami Mnyele Foundation, Amsterdam and the 10th World Triennial of Printmaking, Chamalières (2017). His work is included in a number of collections, including: Smithsonian National Museum of African Art, Washington D.C.; Museum of Fine Arts, Boston; School of the Museum of Fine Arts, Boston and Thami Mnyele Foundation, Amsterdam.