Bethuel crowned best cartoonist in the world
Tzaneen born cartoonist, Bethuel Mangena, was named one of the best cartoonists in the world recently.
Mangena’s winning cartoon took the Human Rights prize at the Third International Cartoon Contest on Monday 16 January.
The win proves once again that Limpopo’s artists are among the best in the world.
In the recent years artists such as Sho Majozi and Master KG have wowed the world with their talent and Mangena is another Limpopian who is flying the country’s flag high.
The competition was initiated by the Iran Cartoon magazine which called for artists to submit their Covid-19 work. His work outshined work of other 8000 cartoonists from over 120 countries who had participated in the competition.
“I didn’t think I would win, especially if you look at how many talented cartoonists entered the competition. I was just happy to make it to the various stages.”
“First it was Top 100 and then named the only African in the Top 20 was enough for me. Even on the day when the results were announced, I was just browsing through the list to only see who the winner was, I didn’t think it could be me. I feel blessed and very fortunate to be named the best in the world,” he explained.
The 41-year-old creative is currently working as a cartoonist at the African News Agency and produces work for newspapers such as The Star, Pretoria News and The Mercury amongst others.
He told the Herald that he was inspired by his brother, Aubrey Mangena, to start drawing at a young age.
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“My brother used to do good drawings and I followed on his footsteps.
“However he quit along the way and I continued with the craft. I taught myself to draw cartoons by copying Zapiro’s work and other famous cartoonists,” he added.
He added that he looks up to Alan Cameron, who has done a lot of work internationally.
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His family is originally from Mhangweni village in Tzaneen and later moved to Lulekani township in Phalaborwa.
He is currently working on a graphic novel and has written a full movie script with a colleague and says his dream is to see the movie released and the novel sold internationally.
His message to youngsters is to know that their dreams are valid.
“Never give up and believe in your dreams. It may seem impossible and you may face many struggles along the way, but giving up is not an option no matter what,” he concluded.
