Lucky feels at home in Tzaneen
Handcraft beads and wire artist, Lucky Charuma calls Tzaneen his second home after receiving a warm reception from locals.
Charuma is a Malawian who came to the small town in 2019 hoping to grow his business.
He currently sells his art outside Sugarhill OK store and says he is grateful for the support he has been receiving.
He said he is also grateful towards the store management for their support.
“They even posted my work on social media, so that more people can come and buy,’ he said.
However the pandemic has impacted his business harshly as sales has reduced drastically.
“It has been tough because people are now much more conscious of what they spend their money on.
“Art and curio dealers are no longer taking orders.
Most festivals have also been cancelled and I cannot sell at these events.
“Despite the setback, I’m grateful to the locals for their support.
Also read: Love has no nationality
He specialises in making various designs of home decorating items, including animals, keyholders and steel windmills.
Charuma says that at times he is saddened to hear fellow Africans accusing foreigners of coming to the country to steal their jobs.
“I personally am not stealing anyone’s job, but creating something from scratch and I’m willing to transfer skills to others.
“However, I know that other people are driven by different factors such as poverty, war and political instability.
“South African leaders fled to other African countries during apartheid.
“I hope we can start seeing each other through another’s eyes and feel each other’s pain and not only see each other as a threat,” he explained.
Charuma left his family behind and goes back home after reaching a certain target to see them.
For more information follow him on his Facebook page Lucky Charuma or call on 083 734 1788.
