FOR THE LOVE OFF BRAAI: George Ushambo and his son Nigel in front of Park Slaghuis were they sell their art work and off course the big center of attention, their creation of unique braais, out of old oil drums, car rims, and very soon, broken compressors.
George Ushamba (43) is the creator behind this initiative, and Tzaneen are talking.
Ushamba, originally from Harare in Zimbabwe decided to cross the mighty Limpopo River at the border post in 2010 for greener pastures.
Grind to perfection. George Ushamba busy doing the finishing touches on one of his braai grids.
After a lot of consideration, just like a true business man, or shall one say artist, George decided to make his mark in Tzaneen and surrounds with his exceptional art creations and braai’s.
‘Before 2001, tourism was blooming in Zimbabwe, I did very well but in 2010 I decided to leave. Costumers were lesser by the day and year and jobs were scares,’ Ushamba told the Herald were we sat on the pavement in front of Park Butchery early Friday morning were he sell his art work and braai’s.
For five years, Ushambo also worked as a funeral consultant in Harare.
Over weekends and in his spare time he did what he loved doing most. Creating art works out of wire and beads.
‘The currency in Zimbabwe fell, inflation sky rocketed and the Zimbabwe dollar meant nothing.’
He left his wife, Edwena and four boys, aged 20, 13, 8 and 7 months behind and headed for South Africa. George considered a lot of places; Namibia, Cape Town, Johannesburg.
But is was Tzaneen that he decided on.
‘I did try the vending market in Polokwane. One weekend I decided to try Tzaneen out. Everything sold so well, and I decided this is where I will earn a living for my family.’
Park Butchery agreed with George that he can sell is goods in front of their shop, and what an excellent idea, because once you’ve purchased your braai meat for the occasion, his braai’s will definitely catch the attention. Braai’s on half an oil drum, and the others, neatly crafted out of old rims.
The braai’s are a new addition to his collection for sale. ‘I wanted to diversify my business, that is why I started to make them.’ George tells that he purchased the old oil drums from a nearby garage and the rims he buys from a scrapyard. An honest living that seems to pay off. But that is not where his creativity stops. Bead works and wire cars form part of his ensemble of art work. ‘I had a dream. You see anything is possible,’ he said humbly.
His next creation, was a vision and it is in the making. A braai complete with a stand out of broken car compressors.
Nigel and George posing with their art.
Although from Zimbabwe, George tells that he has a lot of friends and does not really experience any xenophobia in Tzaneen. ‘In general it is bad you know, we come to South Africa to work for our families, we don’t need to be attacked. We just want to earn a decent income, as in Zimbabwe it is not possible.
George’s son, Nigel (20) joined his dad in Tzaneen in February also all the way from Zimbabwe.
‘There is no work. I told him that he must come to Tzaneen, I will teach him how to be a bread winner. I also want to groom him to become a good and honest man,’ George said.
Just like his dad, Nigel is also arty and humble. ‘I am doing art since I was 16. At first I was a DJ at weddings and parties in Zim. But my dad said I must come here. And I am very glad. Art is my everything and I love working with my hands,’ this young slender man tells. In the background where we sit, George is already busy painting the next grid for another braai to be put up for sale.
George and Nigel can both speak a little of Shangaan, Sotho and Venda but their mother tongue is Shona.
And how do they enjoy a braai? ‘With salad and a lot of cucumber and mayonnaise and chilies and don’t forget the pap’.
Buy a braai from George and Nigel.
In South Africa, we say, ‘Nou gaan ons braai, or Shisha njama. George Runs it over his tongue in Shono, ‘Kugocha Nyama.’
Before we left, Letaba Herald gave him a a sales tip…if he approach you, don’t be surprised if he comes up with, “Nou gaan jy braai, gooi mielies.’
George and his son could be found daily in front of Park Butchery.
Over weekends they are trying the market out in Phalaborwa and Hoedspruit.
You may say a braai is just a braai.
Other artworks created by this arty dad and son team.
But a braai is not a braai in Tzaneen if you are not braaing in one of George and Nigel’s Braai’s.
