Sculpture disaster on Mandela Day

WINDSOR EAST – An artist’s decision to help a homeless man on Mandela Day, 18 July, ended in abject disappointment.

Ben Tuge has produced contemporary art for the last 20 years, and recently saw Tebogo Mfukengi (22) begging for money at a traffic light in Windsor East.

“I did not see him as begging for money but begging for something to do,” Tuge said.

Tuge asked Mfukengi if he would like to learn to make art, and Mfukengi said yes.

So Tuge offered to make a wooden sculpture of Mfukengi that would be cast in bronze and then sold for cash that Mfukengi could use for his wellbeing, and to study art.

When the sculpting began on Mandela Day at Super Angels Preschool, owned by Tuge’s wife, Mfukengi said the idea was “good” and he wanted to “make things” one day.

However, a few hours later, Tuge and his family left to donate food to residents in Windsor East, and Mfukengi was left behind.

When the Tuge family returned Mfukengi was gone, and so was their daughter’s cellphone.

Mfukengi’s flip flops were found at the gate.

“He took the phone and ran away,” Tuge alleged in an indignant tone.

“Sometimes you do a good thing for someone and they… I cannot help him anymore.”