KWANYUSWA artists, Bongumusa Blose and Martin Mabizela, make vases, lamps and décor using the ilala palm.
They started working together in 2001. Blose at the time made wooden frames and when he saw the work that Mabizela did he was drawn to it, as it was unique but frames were common.
Blose was born in KwaNyuswa, went to KwaMnamatha Primary school and KwaNtebeni Comprehensive High School. “I started working with my hands when I was in Grade 11, I did it just as a hobby, but whenever I was with other artists my love for art was renewed,” said Blose.
Mabizela grew up in Hammarsdale, went to Zaminhlanhla Primary School and Ukusa High School. He did craft work at school and the material mostly used for crafts at that time was the ilala palm.
I always had a passion for art, I love flowers but they die, so I decided to make my own flowers that will always be beautiful and that I can admire forever, said Mabizela.
They were unable to get full-time employment so they decided to leave whatever piece jobs they had to focus on their craft. The duo teaches children from the Lilly of the Valley an orphanage in Hammarsdale.
“Our wish is that in twenty years, our legacy will still be alive through the children we teach,” said Blose.
They said that they have a very good partnership and relationship and they get along very well. “It is important for us to get along for our business to grow,” Mabizela said.
The artists live together and their home is their workshop, one of their main challenges is finances, they need money to get to markets and to transport their art.
“We would be grateful if we had a funder, someone for us to supply to or a sponsor, it will make it easy for us to continue working,” they said.
Their neighbours do support their work as they buy from them, but pay in instalments as most of them can’t afford to pay full amounts.
“We wish for our work to be known in South Africa and abroad,” Blose said.
There are two women the artists work with from the community, Khanyisile Dumakude and Thobile Ngubane, and they believe in empowering the community.
Contact Bongumusa Blose on 084 774 5748 to find out more about their art.
