Scelo Mhlongo is the featured Woza Moya artist for October – a crafter and jewellery maker working mostly in wood.
The Woza Moya Artists wall, would like to thank the 100% Foundation for coming on board for an ongoing sponsorship and making this monthly event possible. Scelo Mhlongo Is the 16th artist featured.
Mhlongo was born on October 6, 1977, in Mthwalume but currently lives in Umlazi. He grew up in Mthwalume, going to school and looking after cows on the weekend and afternoons. Whilst caring for the animals he carved sticks and made Sangoma dancing sticks (Iqhabanga) for local sangomas. He had no tools and used a broken bottle to carve with. At school he showed a talent for handcraft work. His inspiration for crafts came from his late grandfather as he was made benches and chairs using wood, and he was inspired to make things for himself.
He started drawing pictures and one picture was seen by someone from Johannesburg and he took Mhlongo and taught him how to make jewellery, and how to market the jewellery. He sold at Windermere shopping centre, where Woza Moya commissioned him to make some earrings of popular South African brands. He also sold to the African Art Centre and they assisted him by teaching him how to paint. He also set up a stand and sold jewellery at soccer matches with the different teams painted on the pendants.
This is the first time that Scelo has attempted bigger artworks, as he usually paints magnets and soccer necklaces. Covid has been particularly hard for him as all outlets were closed and with minimal sales and all soccer matches cancelled. However, he is always positive “My life has changed through outlets selling my artwork, I know I can put food on the table and able to assist my child at university, helping him where I can.” His major challenges are the expense of materials, paint and brushes and that every item is handmade.
Woza Moya is the arts and craft-focused economic empowerment project of the Hillcrest AIDS Centre Trust, and is a proud member of 1000 Hills Community Tourism Organisation.
Shop opening times:
Weekdays:
08h00-16h00: Woza Moya Hillcrest AIDS
Centre Trust, 26 Old Main Road, Hillcrest
09h00-17h00: Woza
Moya Windermere Centre
Saturdays:
08h00-14h00: Hillcrest AIDS Centre Trust, HACT
09h00-14h00: Woza Moya Windermere Centre
For more information contact +27 31 765 5866
Post/Pre Sales Queries: wozamoya@hillaids.org.za
Marketing Queries/Corporate Projects:
wozamarketing@hillaids.org.za
Find them on Facebook: wozamoyahactandfriends
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/woza_moya/
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