HILDA Mgaga, a wire-basket maker, has taken the artform to a new level.
Born in Newcastle, Mgaga grew up on a farm and was raised by her grandparents as her mother left her when she was five months old – she didn’t know her.
She came to Durban when she was 16 to look for work and lived with her grandmother’s sister.
Also read: Picture Perfect: Woza Moya supports local artist
In Durban, Mgaga met a man who made wire baskets, and he taught her the skill of scooby basket-making. She became highly skilled in making these baskets.
Mgaga said the technique of making these baskets is different to the scooby baskets as a heavy gauge wire is used and the thin scooby wire is bound around, creating the pattern.
“This is much harder work on the hands, and the baskets are stronger and heavier.”
She mentioned that the patterns come to her as she makes the baskets. “The design flows through me from my head through to my heart, then to my hands.”
Even though Mgaga is a pensioner, she likes to keep busy and makes baskets. The extra money helps her get by as she was supporting her children who have now become independent.
The 79-year-old’s work is in high demand and difficult to come by, as it takes a month to make one basket. Mgaga’s baskets have gone worldwide, and they depict local scenery.
Showcasing her work
Mgaga’s work will be featured at Woza Moya Artists’ Wall for the month of June.
The concept behind the Woza Moya Artists’ Wall and Artists’ Cards is to create and showcase work for artists, giving them a platform to garner exposure. Each month, a different artist is paid to paint, sculpt, embroider or spray a wall panel, which is displayed on the wall outside the Woza Moya Hillcrest AIDS Centre shop.
Woza Moya assists the artist by marketing their work for the entire month their work is on display. A greeting card is made of the painted wall panel and sold in our shops so that artists can earn an ongoing passive income. If you love the artist’s work, please support them by buying a card – they are only R25.
Also read: Off the wall: Durban artist brings splash of colour to murals
Mgaga’s artwork is for sale, and people can bid for the artwork online: https://www.wozamoya.co.za/auctions/. Bidding starts at R1 500, and there are two works on auction.
“We would like to thank the 100% Foundation for coming on board for an ongoing sponsorship of the Artists’ Wall and making this monthly Artists’ Wall event possible. Hilda Mgaga is the twenty-second artist, and her work will be featured for the month of June 2023,” said Woza Moya’s Paula Thomson.
Shop opening times:
Woza Moya is based at the Hillcrest AIDS Centre Trust, 26 Old Main Road, in Hillcrest, and is open from Monday to Friday from 08:00 to 16:00 and from 09:00 to 17:00 at Woza Moya Windermere Centre. On Saturdays, the HACT shop is open from 08:00 to 14:00 and from 09:00 to 14:00 at Windermere. Woza Moya is the economic empowerment project of the Hillcrest AIDS Centre Trust.
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