Learners speak through art
Two 16-year-old wannabe cartoonists from Bela-Bela are utilising their talent and skills to tell stories and raise awareness through art.
Two 16-year-old wannabe cartoonists from Bela-Bela are utilising their talent and skills to tell stories and raise awareness through art.
The twosome create characters and dialogue with messages targeted at their peers such as incidents of substance abuse.
Kamogelo Seyayi and Phitlho Mgqunyana are learners at Raeleng Secondary School.
They both said they drew inspiration from renowned cartoonist Jonathan Shapiro, otherwise popularly known as Zapiro.
Seyayi’s work speaks to topics and challenges such as drug and alcohol abuse, and noise pollution.
Seyayi said the problem of loud noise coming from shebeens and taverns near schools had become a challenge.
Mgqunyana said he was particularly passionate about alcohol abuse and youth unemployment.
He said his dream was to see his visual art published on national platforms.
Non-profit organisation Enough is Enough secretary, Danny Sedibana, said he met the duo when they were still young, and they showed potential at the tender age of 12.
“I believe that through the support of the locals, these young learners can make a positive difference in the lives of the people of Bela-Bela and beyond. We need to embrace them and show them support so they can reach their goals,” Sedibana said.
— The BEAT
